The Day Fiery Failure Launched NASA
Sixty-eight years ago, America's first satellite exploded on the launchpad in front of the entire world. But from the ashes of Vanguard TV-3 came the determination that would eventually win the Space Race.
Launch Date
March 18, 2020
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC39A
Launch Vehicle
NORAD ID
45368
International Designator
2020-019J
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:50:26 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
53.07°
Right Ascension
358.35°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
125.10°
Period
95.01 min
Mean Motion
15.16 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
STARLINK-1276
Alternative Name
Starlink 1276
Type
Status
Owner
SPXS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 45368U 20019J 26185.20169563 .00035623 00000-0 18602-2 0 9990
2 45368 53.0720 358.3549 0001608 125.1036 235.0108 15.15606052347379
Source: Celestrak
Length
0.2
Diameter
2.8
Span
9
Dry Mass
248
Launch Mass
260
Shape
Box + pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Starlink V1.0-L5-20
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
SPXS
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Starlink
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Krypton ion thrusters
Equipment
Ku/Ka-band payload (all), optical inter-satellite links (a few prototypes)
Power System
Solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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