The Day Fiery Failure Launched NASA
Sixty-eight years ago, America's first satellite exploded on the launchpad in front of the entire world. But from the ashes of Vanguard TV-3 came the determination that would eventually win the Space Race.
PALAPA 1 (09009)
COSPAR: 1976-066A | Alt Name: Palapa A1
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
July 8, 1976
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC17A
Launch Vehicle
Delta 2914
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
09009
International Designator
1976-066A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:21:47 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
7.86°
Right Ascension
304.93°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
225.09°
Period
1438.75 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
PALAPA 1
Alternative Name
Palapa A1
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
PER
Country
Indonesia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 09009U 76066A 26185.01513234 .00000154 00000-0 00000-0 0 9994
2 09009 7.8563 304.9332 0003883 225.0909 151.7466 1.00086785128110
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
1.6
Diameter
2.2
Span
3.7
Dry Mass
208
Launch Mass
282
Shape
Cyl + Dish
Radar Cross Section
5.072
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Palapa A1
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
HSES
Life Expectancy
7 years
Bus
HS-333
Configuration
HS-333D
Motor
FW5
Equipment
12 C-band transponders
Power System
Solar cells (body mounted), batteries
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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