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TROPICS PATHFINDER (48901)
COSPAR: 2021-059Y | Alt Name: TROPICS Pathfinder
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
June 30, 2021
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
48901
International Designator
2021-059Y
Decay Date
7/26/2024
Basic Satellite Info
Name
TROPICS PATHFINDER
Alternative Name
TROPICS Pathfinder
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
MITLL/GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
The TROPICS PATHFINDER (OBJECT_ID: 2021-059Y) is a CubeSat (3U) satellite launched by MITLL/GSFC on June 30, 2021, from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Its dimensions are 0.3 meters in length, 0.1 meters in diameter, and spans 0.5 meters with a dry mass of 4 kg. The satellite is equipped with a 12 channel passive microwave radiometer for Earth observation and technology demonstration purposes. It features a deployable solar array and batteries for power supply and has a planned operational lifetime of one year. Manufactured by RAYBL, the TROPICS PATHFINDER is part of the larger TROPICS constellation and operates in a box shape configuration.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.3
Diameter
0.1
Span
0.5
Dry Mass
4
Launch Mass
4
Shape
Box
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
TROPICS SV01
Purpose
Earth observation, technology
Mission
Earth observation, technology
Manufacturer
RAYBL
Life Expectancy
1 year (planned)
Bus
Cubesat 3U
Configuration
CubeSat (3U)
Motor
None
Equipment
12 channel passive microwave radiometer
Power System
Deployable solar array, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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