Key statistics
Satellite OAO 1 at a glance.
Uptime
21743
Days in orbit
Revolutions
≈ 14.3
Per day
Orbit
LEO
Low Earth Orbit
Inclination
35.0
Latest
Satellite identification and parameters
Extended collection of information and parameters for OAO 1.
Object identification
Identified? True
Debris? False
Object name: OAO 1
International designator: 1966-031A
Object number (NORAD): 2142
Object ID (CCSDS): 2142
Country: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (US)
Current information (Y/N): Y
RCS size: LARGE
Orbital parameters
Period: 100.376 minutes
Inclination: 35.045 deg
SMA: 7154.495 km
Apoapsis: 781.531 km
Periapsis: 771.189 km
RAAN: 215.0067 deg
Eccentricy: 0.00072277
Argument of periapsis: 199.9748 deg
Mean anomaly: 160.0658 deg
Mean motion: 14.34611423 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.000002 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.000076686613 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: Oct. 18, 2025, 2:17 a.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: Oct. 17, 2025, 8:14 p.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 OAO 1
TLE line 1: 1 02142U 66031A 25290.84352779 .00000200 00000-0 76687-4 0 9998
TLE line 2: 2 02142 35.0450 215.0067 0007228 199.9748 160.0658 14.34611423116266
Live tracking on map
Real-time ground track for satellite OAO 1.
In-orbit conjunctions
A list of the most updated potential collisions computed for object OAO 1.
Associated space launch
OAO 1 (Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 1) was a solar-cell-powered satellite instrumented to make precision astronomical observations and to measure the absorption and emission characteristics of the stars, planets, nebulae, and the interplanetary and interstellar media from visible to gamma-ray regions.
OAO 1 was lifted into orbit during the mission ‘Atlas SLV-3 Agena D | OAO 1’, on board a Atlas SLV-3 Agena D space rocket.
The launch took place on April 8, 1966, 7:35 p.m. from Launch Complex 12.
For more information about the launch, click the button.
Atlas SLV-3 Agena D | OAO 1
Agency: N/A
Status: Launch Successful
Launch date: April 8, 1966, 7:35 p.m. UTC
Rocket: Atlas SLV-3 Agena D
Launch pad: Launch Complex 12
Location: Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
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