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.
WESTFORD NEEDLES (00702)
COSPAR: 1963-014H | Alt Name: West Ford 3 Package part
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
May 9, 1963
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
LC1-2
Launch Vehicle
Atlas Agena B
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
00702
International Designator
1963-014H
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:09:35 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
87.36°
Right Ascension
188.34°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
38.26°
Period
166.35 min
Mean Motion
8.66 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
WESTFORD NEEDLES
Alternative Name
West Ford 3 Package part
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
AFSSD
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 00702U 63014H 26184.46499831 .00000005 00000-0 91998-3 0 9992
2 00702 87.3585 188.3382 0088137 38.2592 322.4475 8.65653683995680
Source: Celestrak
Summary
Space debris, also known as space junk, encompasses all non-functional objects orbiting Earth such as defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from collisions or disintegrations. Over time, this debris can accumulate and create an increasingly hazardous environment in orbit. Even tiny fragments, traveling at extremely high velocities, can inflict significant damage on operational satellites and spacecraft. If left unmanaged, the density of debris raises the risk of catastrophic collisions and further fragmentation, compounding the problem and threatening the safety and sustainability of space activities.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0
Diameter
0
Span
0
Dry Mass
0
Launch Mass
0
Shape
N/A
Radar Cross Section
0.8261
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
West Ford Package part
Purpose
Experimental, communication, passice
Mission
Experimental, communication, passice
Manufacturer
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Unknown
Configuration
480 million copper dipoles (1.78 cm lenght, 25.4 �m (#1) or 17.8 �m (#2) diameter)
Motor
None
Equipment
?
Power System
None
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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