Key statistics
Satellite SURCAL 159 at a glance.
Uptime
21326
Days in orbit
Revolutions
≈ 14.0
Per day
Orbit
LEO
Low Earth Orbit
Inclination
70.0
Latest
Satellite identification and parameters
Extended collection of information and parameters for SURCAL 159.
Object identification
Identified? True
Debris? False
Object name: SURCAL 159
International designator: 1967-053F
Object number (NORAD): 2872
Object ID (CCSDS): 2872
Country: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (US)
Current information (Y/N): Y
RCS size: MEDIUM
Orbital parameters
Period: 102.893 minutes
Inclination: 69.9732 deg
SMA: 7273.604 km
Apoapsis: 898.516 km
Periapsis: 892.423 km
RAAN: 160.267 deg
Eccentricy: 0.00041882
Argument of periapsis: 54.5195 deg
Mean anomaly: 305.6303 deg
Mean motion: 13.99517236 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.00000164 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.00014937567 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: Oct. 19, 2025, 2:20 a.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: Oct. 18, 2025, 10:47 p.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 SURCAL 159
TLE line 1: 1 02872U 67053F 25291.94944788 .00000164 00000-0 14938-3 0 9991
TLE line 2: 2 02872 69.9732 160.2670 0004188 54.5195 305.6303 13.99517236976456
Live tracking on map
Real-time ground track for satellite SURCAL 159.
In-orbit conjunctions
A list of the most updated potential collisions computed for object SURCAL 159.
Associated space launch
Poppy was the follow-on ELINT system, which succeeded the Grab ELINT satellite system.
SURCAL 159 was lifted into orbit during the mission ‘Thor SLV-2 Agena D | Poppy 7A,B,C,D’, on board a Thor SLV-2 Agena D space rocket.
The launch took place on May 31, 1967, 9:30 a.m. from Space Launch Complex 2W.
For more information about the launch, click the button.
Thor SLV-2 Agena D | Poppy 7A,B,C,D
Agency: N/A
Status: Launch Successful
Launch date: May 31, 1967, 9:30 a.m. UTC
Rocket: Thor SLV-2 Agena D
Launch pad: Space Launch Complex 2W
Location: Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
...
Latest news about this satellite
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