NATO 3A (08808)

COSPAR: 1976-035A | Alt Name: NATO 3A

Image
NATO 3A Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

April 22, 1976

Launch Pad

LC17B

Launch Vehicle

Delta 2914

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

08808

International Designator

1976-035A

Epoch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:46:10 GMT

Apogee

Calculating...

Perigee

Calculating...

Inclination

4.94°

Right Ascension

298.35°

Eccentricity

Calculating...

Argument of Perigee

325.69°

Period

1442.37 min

Mean Motion

1.00 rev/day

Latitude

Calculating...

Longitude

Calculating...

Altitude

Calculating...

Velocity

Calculating...

Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

NATO 3A

Alternative Name

NATO 3A

Type

Payload

Status

Unknown

Owner

NICS

Country

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 08808U 76035A   26184.94873438  .00000118  00000-0  00000-0 0  9992
2 08808   4.9408 298.3542 0024892 325.6946  58.3879  0.99835959747447

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

3.1

Diameter

2.2

Span

3.1

Dry Mass

249

Launch Mass

277

Shape

Cyl

Radar Cross Section

7.0204

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

NATO 3A

Purpose

Military communication

Mission

Military communication

Manufacturer

FORDP

Life Expectancy

7 years

Bus

NATO 3

Configuration

NATO-3 Bus

Motor

SVM-6

Equipment

2 transponders operating in the 7 to 8 GHz region

Power System

Solar cells (body mounted), batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map
This tool will help you track the satellite's position and predict its upcoming passes over your location. Simply input the coordinates or click the geolocation button to get started.
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.

Starlink Crosses 10,000 Active Satellites, X Report 18 Mar 2026

Starlink Crosses 10,000 Active Satellites, X Report 18 Mar 2026

Starlink satellite count 2026: SpaceX tops 10,000 active satellites, 10,037 working of 11,558 launched, under seven years after first launch.

X Report 25 Oct 2025

X Report 25 Oct 2025

SpaceX prepares for a record-setting launch of Starlink satellites, while Iridium faces challenges against SpaceX's expanding services.

Mike Melvill, 124 Meters, and the Morning Space Went Private

Mike Melvill, 124 Meters, and the Morning Space Went Private

On 21 June 2004, a 63-year-old test pilot rode a homebuilt rocket plane to 100,124 meters above the Mojave Desert, clearing the edge of space by about the length of a city block. He came down the first private astronaut in history, holding a sign that read 'SpaceShipOne, GovernmentZero.'

X Report 9 Mar 2025

X Report 9 Mar 2025

SpaceX reveals plans for Florida Starship launches, NASA teams up for dual missions, and FCC boosts satellite connectivity.

Space Brief 26 Aug 2024

Space Brief 26 Aug 2024

Today's briefing covers an exciting new satellite launch, a significant reentry, and unexpected space debris from a fragmentation event.

Space Brief 1 Nov 2025

Space Brief 1 Nov 2025

Today's brief covers the future of military space operations, ESA's potential defense role, significant developments in satellite communications, and SpaceX's response to Artemis 3 comments.

Aurora 7 and the Day NASA Almost Lost Scott Carpenter

Aurora 7 and the Day NASA Almost Lost Scott Carpenter

Exactly 64 years ago today, Scott Carpenter became the fourth American to orbit the Earth aboard Aurora 7. His five-hour flight produced new science, a tense reentry, and 39 minutes of silence in which the country wondered if it had just lost its astronaut.

Space Brief 23 Feb 2025

Space Brief 23 Feb 2025

SpaceX launches Starlink satellites from both coasts, while first 3D atmospheric map of an exoplanet reveals extreme weather patterns, and Starlink missions push total count over 8,000 satellites.