PLEIADES NEO 3 (48268)

COSPAR: 2021-034A | Alt Name: Pleiades Neo 3

Image
PLEIADES NEO 3 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

April 29, 2021

Launch Site

FRGUI

Launch Pad

ZLV

Launch Vehicle

Vega

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

48268

International Designator

2021-034A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 08:07:57 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

97.89°

Right Ascension

259.86°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

90.38°

Period

97.19 min

Mean Motion

14.82 rev/day

Latitude

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Longitude

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Altitude

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Velocity

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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

PLEIADES NEO 3

Alternative Name

Pleiades Neo 3

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

ADSTI

Country

France

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 48268U 21034A   26185.33886458 -.00000504  00000-0 -57503-4 0  9990
2 48268  97.8938 259.8588 0001347  90.3756 269.7612 14.81671383280199

Source: Celestrak

Summary
PLEIADES NEO 3 is an Earth observation satellite with a NORAD catalog ID of 48268 and an object ID of 2021-034A. It was launched on April 29, 2021, from the Guiana Space Center's ZLV launch pad using a Vega launch vehicle. The satellite is manufactured by ADST (Airbus Defence and Space) under the AstroBus-M Com. bus configuration, specifically designed as an S950 Optical Bus for Earth observation missions. It has a hexagonal cylindrical shape with three deployable solar panels, measures 4 meters in length and 2 meters in diameter, and spans 8 meters when fully deployed. The satellite's dry mass is 895 kilograms and it had a launch mass of 920 kilograms. Its power generation system includes deployable solar arrays and batteries to ensure continuous operation. PLEIADES NEO 3 is owned by ADSTI (Airbus Defence and Space International) and has an expected lifetime of ten years.
Physical Characteristics

Length

4

Diameter

2

Span

8

Dry Mass

895

Launch Mass

920

Shape

Hex-cyl+3 panels

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Pleiades Neo 3

Purpose

Earth observation

Mission

Earth observation

Manufacturer

ADST

Life Expectancy

10 years

Bus

AstroBus-M Com.

Configuration

S950 Optical bus

Motor

Unknown

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

Deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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