Key statistics
Satellite DMSP 5D-3 F16 (USA 172) at a glance.
Uptime
7993
Days in orbit
Revolutions
≈ 14.1
Per day
Orbit
SSO
Sun Synchronous Orbit
Inclination
99.0
Latest
Satellite identification and parameters
Extended collection of information and parameters for DMSP 5D-3 F16 (USA 172).
Object identification
Identified? True
Debris? False
Object name: DMSP 5D-3 F16 (USA 172)
International designator: 2003-048A
Object number (NORAD): 28054
Object ID (CCSDS): 28054
Country: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (US)
Current information (Y/N): Y
RCS size: LARGE
Orbital parameters
Period: 101.812 minutes
Inclination: 99.0133 deg
SMA: 7222.584 km
Apoapsis: 848.979 km
Periapsis: 839.92 km
RAAN: 262.8622 deg
Eccentricy: 0.0006271
Argument of periapsis: 234.6725 deg
Mean anomaly: 218.0362 deg
Mean motion: 14.14372547 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.00000272 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.00016577387 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: Sept. 3, 2025, 10:15 a.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: Sept. 3, 2025, 6:06 a.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 DMSP 5D-3 F16 (USA 172)
TLE line 1: 1 28054U 03048A 25246.25446638 .00000272 00000-0 16577-3 0 9991
TLE line 2: 2 28054 99.0133 262.8622 0006271 234.6725 218.0362 14.14372547128921
Live tracking on map
Real-time ground track for satellite DMSP 5D-3 F16 (USA 172).
In-orbit conjunctions
There are no conjunctions computed for DMSP 5D-3 F16 (USA 172), at the moment. Check back to stay up to date, as we update our databases every day.
Go to all conjunctionsAssociated space launch
The 16th flight of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Block 5D series with a main mission of cloud imagery and MW imaging/temperature/humidity sounding.
DMSP 5D-3 F16 (USA 172) was lifted into orbit during the mission ‘Titan II SLV | DMSP F-16’, on board a Titan II SLV space rocket.
The launch took place on Oct. 18, 2003, 4:17 p.m. from Space Launch Complex 4W.
For more information about the launch, click the button.

Titan II SLV | DMSP F-16
Agency: N/A
Status: Launch Successful
Launch date: Oct. 18, 2003, 4:17 p.m. UTC
Rocket: Titan II SLV
Launch pad: Space Launch Complex 4W
Location: Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
...
Latest news about this satellite
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