Key statistics
Satellite GP-B at a glance.
Uptime
7689
Days in orbit
Revolutions
≈ 14.8
Per day
Orbit
LEO
Low Earth Orbit
Inclination
89.8
Latest
Satellite identification and parameters
Extended collection of information and parameters for GP-B.
Object identification
Identified? True
Debris? False
Object name: GP-B
International designator: 2004-014A
Object number (NORAD): 28230
Object ID (CCSDS): 28230
Country: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (US)
Current information (Y/N): Y
RCS size: LARGE
Orbital parameters
Period: 97.139 minutes
Inclination: 89.8397 deg
SMA: 6999.844 km
Apoapsis: 623.214 km
Periapsis: 620.203 km
RAAN: 58.199 deg
Eccentricy: 0.0002151
Argument of periapsis: 75.7707 deg
Mean anomaly: 284.3757 deg
Mean motion: 14.82416584 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.00001238 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.00015263 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: May 9, 2025, 2:46 a.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: May 8, 2025, 5:44 p.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 GP-B
TLE line 1: 1 28230U 04014A 25128.73929578 .00001238 00000-0 15263-3 0 9996
TLE line 2: 2 28230 89.8397 58.1990 0002151 75.7707 284.3757 14.82416584592415
Live tracking on map
Real-time ground track for satellite GP-B.
In-orbit conjunctions
A list of the most updated potential collisions computed for object GP-B.
Associated space launch
Gravity Probe B (GP-B) was a satellite-based experiment to test two unverified predictions of general relativity: the geodetic effect and frame-dragging. This was to be accomplished by measuring, very precisely, tiny changes in the direction of spin of four gyroscopes contained in an Earth-orbiting satellite at 650 km (400 mi) altitude, crossing directly over the poles.
GP-B was lifted into orbit during the mission ‘Delta II | Gravity Probe B’, on board a Delta II space rocket.
The launch took place on April 20, 2004, 4:57 p.m. from Space Launch Complex 2W.
For more information about the launch, click the button.

Delta II | Gravity Probe B
Agency: N/A
Status: Launch Successful
Launch date: April 20, 2004, 4:57 p.m. UTC
Rocket: Delta II
Launch pad: Space Launch Complex 2W
Location: Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
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