Key statistics
Satellite ESSA 3 (TOS-A) at a glance.
Uptime
21625
Days in orbit
Revolutions
≈ 12.6
Per day
Orbit
SSO
Sun Synchronous Orbit
Inclination
101.1
Latest
Satellite identification and parameters
Extended collection of information and parameters for ESSA 3 (TOS-A).
Object identification
Identified? True
Debris? False
Object name: ESSA 3 (TOS-A)
International designator: 1966-087A
Object number (NORAD): 2435
Object ID (CCSDS): 2435
Country: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (US)
Current information (Y/N): Y
RCS size: MEDIUM
Orbital parameters
Period: 114.57 minutes
Inclination: 101.0874 deg
SMA: 7813.996 km
Apoapsis: 1486.087 km
Periapsis: 1385.634 km
RAAN: 258.7226 deg
Eccentricy: 0.00642777
Argument of periapsis: 43.9311 deg
Mean anomaly: 327.3375 deg
Mean motion: 12.56877683 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): -0.00000048 rev/day2
B* drag term: -0.000041557936 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: Dec. 16, 2025, 2:19 a.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: Dec. 15, 2025, 11:46 p.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 ESSA 3 (TOS-A)
TLE line 1: 1 02435U 66087A 25349.99075936 -.00000048 00000-0 -41558-4 0 9993
TLE line 2: 2 02435 101.0874 258.7226 0064278 43.9311 327.3375 12.56877683715991
Live tracking on map
Real-time ground track for satellite ESSA 3 (TOS-A).
Associated space launch
The ESSA series was the second generation of US meterological satellites after the TIROS (Television & Infra-Red Observation Satellite) series. They were also called OT (Operational TIROS), TOS (TIROS Operational Satellite).
ESSA 3 (TOS-A) was lifted into orbit during the mission ‘Thor Delta E | ESSA 3’, on board a Thor Delta E space rocket.
The launch took place on Oct. 2, 1966, 10:39 a.m. from Space Launch Complex 2E.
For more information about the launch, click the button.
Thor Delta E | ESSA 3
Agency: N/A
Status: Launch Successful
Launch date: Oct. 2, 1966, 10:39 a.m. UTC
Rocket: Thor Delta E
Launch pad: Space Launch Complex 2E
Location: Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
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