Key statistics
Satellite OAO 1 at a glance.
Uptime
21800
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: 100.374 minutes
Inclination: 35.0457 deg
SMA: 7154.401 km
Apoapsis: 781.654 km
Periapsis: 770.879 km
RAAN: 265.3334 deg
Eccentricy: 0.00075299
Argument of periapsis: 277.6918 deg
Mean anomaly: 82.2915 deg
Mean motion: 14.34639562 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.00000248 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.000093124143 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: Dec. 14, 2025, 3:07 a.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: Dec. 13, 2025, 11:55 a.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 OAO 1
TLE line 1: 1 02142U 66031A 25347.49701103 .00000248 00000-0 93124-4 0 9998
TLE line 2: 2 02142 35.0457 265.3334 0007530 277.6918 82.2915 14.34639562124407
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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