Key statistics
Satellite ATLAS 2A CENTAUR R/B at a glance.
Uptime
10753
Days in orbit
Revolutions
≈ 2.2
Per day
Orbit
GTO
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
Inclination
21.0
Latest
Satellite identification and parameters
Extended collection of information and parameters for ATLAS 2A CENTAUR R/B.
Object identification
Identified? True
Debris? False
Object name: ATLAS 2A CENTAUR R/B
International designator: 1996-020B
Object number (NORAD): 23840
Object ID (CCSDS): 23840
Country: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (US)
Current information (Y/N): Y
RCS size: LARGE
Orbital parameters
Period: 642.251 minutes
Inclination: 21.0075 deg
SMA: 24658.315 km
Apoapsis: 35531.833 km
Periapsis: 1028.528 km
RAAN: 176.4438 deg
Eccentricy: 0.6996282
Argument of periapsis: 126.8117 deg
Mean anomaly: 319.4291 deg
Mean motion: 2.24211382 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): -0.00000012 rev/day2
B* drag term: -0.00023730638 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: Sept. 10, 2025, 10:13 a.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: Sept. 10, 2025, 4:22 a.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 ATLAS 2A CENTAUR R/B
TLE line 1: 1 23840U 96020B 25253.18236436 -.00000012 00000-0 -23731-3 0 9998
TLE line 2: 2 23840 21.0075 176.4438 6996282 126.8117 319.4291 2.24211382241219
Live tracking on map
Real-time ground track for satellite ATLAS 2A CENTAUR R/B.
Associated space launch
Launched in 1996-8, the Inmarsat-3s were built by Lockheed Martin Astro Space (now Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space) of the USA, responsible for the basic spacecraft, and the European Matra Marconi Space (now Astrium), which developed the communications payload.
ATLAS 2A CENTAUR R/B was lifted into orbit during the mission ‘Atlas IIA | INMARSAT III F-1’, on board a Atlas IIA space rocket.
The launch took place on April 3, 1996, 11:01 p.m. from Launch Complex 36A.
For more information about the launch, click the button.
Atlas IIA | INMARSAT III F-1
Agency: N/A
Status: Launch Successful
Launch date: April 3, 1996, 11:01 p.m. UTC
Rocket: Atlas IIA
Launch pad: Launch Complex 36A
Location: Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
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