Key statistics
Satellite DMSP 5D-3 F16 (USA 172) at a glance.
Uptime
7933
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: 101.813 minutes
Inclination: 99.012 deg
SMA: 7222.629 km
Apoapsis: 850.328 km
Periapsis: 838.66 km
RAAN: 203.9685 deg
Eccentricy: 0.0008077
Argument of periapsis: 50.5786 deg
Mean anomaly: 18.9745 deg
Mean motion: 14.14359404 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.00000012 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.000029898 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: July 6, 2025, 10:36 p.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: July 6, 2025, 9:17 p.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 DMSP 5D-3 F16 (USA 172)
TLE line 1: 1 28054U 03048A 25187.88740933 .00000012 00000-0 29898-4 0 9992
TLE line 2: 2 28054 99.0120 203.9685 0008077 50.5786 18.9745 14.14359404120651
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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