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PREFIRE-1 (59965)
COSPAR: 2024-108A | Alt Name: PREFIRE 1
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
January 1, 45448
Launch Site
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Māhia, New Zealand
Launch Pad
Pad B
Launch Vehicle
Electron
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
59965
International Designator
2024-108A
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 09:02:03 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
97.54°
Right Ascension
355.32°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
125.06°
Period
94.49 min
Mean Motion
15.24 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
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
PREFIRE-1
Alternative Name
PREFIRE 1
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
NASA
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
Launch on June 5, 2024; commencement of data collection shortly thereafter.
Latest TLEs
1 59965U 24108A 26200.37643186 .00002457 00000+0 10440-3 0 9996
2 59965 97.5351 355.3152 0012583 125.0567 235.1852 15.23968209117498
Source: Celestrak
Summary
PREFIRE-1 is a 6U CubeSat satellite launched by NASA on June 5, 2024, from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Māhia, New Zealand, using an Electron launch vehicle. The spacecraft measures 0.3 meters in length with a dry mass of 3 kilograms and features three-axis stabilization for its operations. Equipped with a Thermal InfraRed Spectrometer (TIRS), it aims to measure far-infrared radiation from Earth's polar regions to improve understanding of Arctic warming, sea ice loss, and ice-sheet melting. The mission is designed to operate for approximately one year, covering one seasonal cycle. PREFIRE-1 was manufactured by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and is part of the Polar Radiant Energy in the Far InfraRed Experiment (PREFIRE). It provides climate models with enhanced data on Earth's energy budget through far-infrared emissions from polar regions, contributing significantly to climate predictions and monitoring.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.3
Diameter
0.2
Span
12.7
Dry Mass
3
Launch Mass
10
Shape
Rectangular
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Thermal InfraRed Spectrometer (TIRS)
Purpose
To study the Earth's energy budget by measuring far-infrared emissions from polar regions, enhancing climate models and predictions.
Mission
The Polar Radiant Energy in the Far InfraRed Experiment (PREFIRE) aims to measure far-infrared radiation emitted from Earth's polar regions to improve understanding of Arctic warming, sea ice loss, and ice-sheet melting.
Manufacturer
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
Life Expectancy
The mission is designed to operate for approximately one year, covering one seasonal cycle.
Bus
6U CubeSat
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Thermal InfraRed Spectrometer (TIRS), a pushbroom spectrometer with 64 channels measuring mid- and far-infrared radiation from approximately 5 to 54 µm.
Power System
Approximately 4.5 W
ADCS
Three-axis stabilization
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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