Key statistics
Satellite NIMBUS 2 at a glance.
Uptime
21707
Days in orbit
Revolutions
≈ 13.3
Per day
Orbit
SSO
Sun Synchronous Orbit
Inclination
100.6
Latest
Satellite identification and parameters
Extended collection of information and parameters for NIMBUS 2.
Object identification
Identified? True
Debris? False
Object name: NIMBUS 2
International designator: 1966-040A
Object number (NORAD): 2173
Object ID (CCSDS): 2173
Country: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (US)
Current information (Y/N): Y
RCS size: LARGE
Orbital parameters
Period: 107.97 minutes
Inclination: 100.5556 deg
SMA: 7510.957 km
Apoapsis: 1174.56 km
Periapsis: 1091.085 km
RAAN: 138.5735 deg
Eccentricy: 0.00555689
Argument of periapsis: 141.778 deg
Mean anomaly: 229.849 deg
Mean motion: 13.33705117 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.00000007 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.00010967641 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: Oct. 19, 2025, 2:20 a.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: Oct. 18, 2025, 8:06 p.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 NIMBUS 2
TLE line 1: 1 02173U 66040A 25291.83752186 .00000007 00000-0 10968-3 0 9992
TLE line 2: 2 02173 100.5556 138.5735 0055569 141.7780 229.8490 13.33705117891459
Live tracking on map
Real-time ground track for satellite NIMBUS 2.
In-orbit conjunctions
A list of the most updated potential collisions computed for object NIMBUS 2.
Associated space launch
Nimbus 2, the second in a series of second-generation meteorological research-and-development satellites, added an additional medium-resolution infrared radiometer (MRIR) compared to Nimbus 1.
NIMBUS 2 was lifted into orbit during the mission ‘Thor SLV-2A Agena B | Nimbus 2’, on board a Thor SLV-2A Agena B space rocket.
The launch took place on May 15, 1966, 7:55 a.m. from Space Launch Complex 2E.
For more information about the launch, click the button.
Thor SLV-2A Agena B | Nimbus 2
Agency: N/A
Status: Launch Successful
Launch date: May 15, 1966, 7:55 a.m. UTC
Rocket: Thor SLV-2A Agena B
Launch pad: Space Launch Complex 2E
Location: Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
...
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