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.
NOAA 5 (09057)
COSPAR: 1976-077A | Alt Name: NOAA 5
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
July 29, 1976
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC2W
Launch Vehicle
Delta 2310
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
09057
International Designator
1976-077A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:01:24 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
102.30°
Right Ascension
171.39°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
311.92°
Period
116.33 min
Mean Motion
12.38 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
NOAA 5
Alternative Name
NOAA 5
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
NOAA
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 09057U 76077A 26185.20931528 -.00000025 00000-0 16424-3 0 9998
2 09057 102.3026 171.3882 0009552 311.9248 59.1279 12.37831977256583
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
1.2
Diameter
1
Span
4.3
Dry Mass
340
Launch Mass
340
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
1.6254
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
ITOS H
Purpose
Meteorology
Mission
Meteorology
Manufacturer
RCA
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Tiros M
Configuration
TIROS-M Bus
Motor
?
Equipment
VHRR, VTPR, SR
Power System
3 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
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