X Report 31 Dec 2025
Vandenberg Space Force Base opens a new launch site that may accommodate SpaceX's Starship. Meanwhile, Starlink continues to expand its service capabilities.
OAO 3 (COPERNICUS) (06153)
COSPAR: 1972-065A | Alt Name: Copernicus
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 21, 1972
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC36B
Launch Vehicle
Atlas SLV-3C Centaur
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
06153
International Designator
1972-065A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:10:27 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
35.01°
Right Ascension
353.38°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
27.90°
Period
98.63 min
Mean Motion
14.60 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
OAO 3 (COPERNICUS)
Alternative Name
Copernicus
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 06153U 72065A 26185.21559198 .00000361 00000-0 78385-4 0 9992
2 06153 35.0069 353.3782 0006259 27.8979 138.5270 14.60070284863235
Source: Celestrak
Summary
Apologies, there is no summary for this satellite yet. I am working to generate these for every object in the catalog, but it is going to take time.
Physical Characteristics
Length
4.9
Diameter
2
Span
5
Dry Mass
2177
Launch Mass
2177
Shape
Oct Cyl + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
6.42
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
OAO-C
Purpose
Astronomy, UV, X-ray
Mission
Astronomy, UV, X-ray
Manufacturer
GRUM
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
OAO
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
80-cm UV telescope, 3 X-ray telescopes
Power System
2 deployable fixed solar arrays, 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 1 Dec 2025
SpaceX celebrates significant milestones with the launch of Falcon 9 and developments in the Starship program, while Elon Musk addresses media narratives surrounding Starlink's humanitarian efforts.
X Report 8 Aug 2025
SpaceX celebrates its 100th launch of the year with a Falcon 9 mission carrying Amazon's Project Kuiper satellites, while Crew-10 prepares for its return from the ISS and the company expands its interplanetary ambitions with new Mars partnerships.
NROL-179 Starshield Satellites Launch from Vandenberg | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX launched NROL-179 from Vandenberg at 1:50 a.m. PDT June 19, carrying Starshield spy satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office.
Space Brief 20 Dec 2025
Today's Space Brief focuses on multi-billion dollar contracts for missile-tracking satellites, developments in optical nuclear clock research, and innovative drone projects for military collaboration.
ISS Crew Shelters in Dragon During Active Air Leak | KeepTrack X Report
ISS astronauts evacuated to a SpaceX Dragon capsule on June 5 as cosmonauts worked to seal a persistent air leak on the Russian segment.
Katalyst Link Clears Tests for $500M SPARCS Rescue | KeepTrack Space Brief
Katalyst's Link spacecraft passes key testing milestone ahead of June 2026 launch to rescue NASA's $500M SPARCS telescope. In-space servicing mission will create trackable conjunction risk during approach and docking phase.
X Report 29 Mar 2025
Starlink gains ground in geopolitical shifts, while SpaceX makes progress on next-gen facilities and prepares for Crew-11 mission to ISS.