X Report 5 May 2025
SpaceX celebrated Star Wars Day with a successful launch of Starlink satellites, furthering its mission to enhance global internet access. Lego also revealed a new collectible set tied to the franchise.
GOES 18 (51850)
COSPAR: 2022-021A | Alt Name: GOES 18
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 1, 2022
Launch Site
Launch Pad
SLC41
Launch Vehicle
Atlas V 541
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
51850
International Designator
2022-021A
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 17:39:30 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
0.02°
Right Ascension
91.18°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
60.78°
Period
1436.09 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info
Name
GOES 18
Alternative Name
GOES 18
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
NOAA
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 51850U 22021A 26200.73576442 .00000000 00000+0 00000+0 0 9992
2 51850 0.0158 91.1760 0000616 60.7789 273.4501 01.00272002 6911
Source: Celestrak
Summary
GOES 18 is a meteorology satellite owned by NOAA and was manufactured by LMCSS. It was launched on March 1, 2022, from the AFETR launch site at SLC41 using an Atlas V 541 launch vehicle. The spacecraft has dimensions of 6.1 meters in length, a diameter of 3.9 meters, and a span of 12 meters. It features a deployable solar array for power with a dry mass of 2857 kg and a launch mass of 5209 kg. GOES 18 is equipped with an imager, sounder, solar X-ray imager, S-band, L-band, and UHF communication channels. The satellite's shape is described as box + panel + boom, and it has a mission lifetime of 15 years (10 operational, followed by 5 years on-orbit spare). Its purpose is meteorology, and the equipment includes a Leros-1C motor for propulsion.
Physical Characteristics
Length
6.1
Diameter
3.9
Span
12
Dry Mass
2857
Launch Mass
5209
Shape
Box + panel + boom
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
GOES T
Purpose
Meteorology
Mission
Meteorology
Manufacturer
LMCSS
Life Expectancy
15 years (10 operational, after 5 years on-orbit spare)
Bus
A2100
Configuration
A2100A
Motor
Leros-1C
Equipment
imager, sounder, solar X-ray imager, S-band, L-band, UHF communication channels
Power System
Deployable solar array, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
X Report 4 Dec 2024
SpaceX's Falcon 9 achieves a milestone with its 24th launch for Starlink, while competitive moves continue in the satellite internet market.
Space Brief 24 Oct 2025
Today's Space Brief covers China's latest satellite launch, Russian threats to UK satellites, European defense strategies, and upcoming satellite launches from SatLeo and Quantum Space.
Space Brief 12 Feb 2025
Today's space brief covers SpaceX's latest Starlink missions, Satellogic's contract with Brazilian Air Force, OCX, and ATLAS project updates, and DARPA's insights on cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
ESA's Proba-3 Formation-Flyer Goes Silent | KeepTrack Space Brief
ESA's Proba-3 spacecraft lost contact last month, grounding the dual-satellite solar eclipse mission. Formation flying between both craft is critical for coronagraph science.
Space Brief 25 Jul 2025
Today's briefing covers Spire Global's new intelligence products, a significant military buildup in the Pacific, Space Force organizational changes, and more.
Space Brief 16 Sep 2025
Today's brief highlights the impact of military spending and technology competition on the space economy, new satellite connectivity partnerships, and defense spending pledges in Europe.
STARLINK-4621 Faces Critical Conjunction as Eight Satellites Reenter | KeepTrack X Report
A HIGH-risk conjunction between STARLINK-4621 and the defunct SL-18 rocket body leads the July 11 safety picture, with eight Starlink satellites set to reenter through July 14.