Key statistics
Satellite EXPLORER 38 (RAE-A) at a glance.
Uptime
20760
Days in orbit
Revolutions
≈ 6.4
Per day
Orbit
MEO
Medium Earth Orbit
Inclination
120.9
Latest
Satellite identification and parameters
Extended collection of information and parameters for EXPLORER 38 (RAE-A).
Object identification
Identified? True
Debris? False
Object name: EXPLORER 38 (RAE-A)
International designator: 1968-055A
Object number (NORAD): 3307
Object ID (CCSDS): 3307
Country: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (US)
Current information (Y/N): Y
RCS size: LARGE
Orbital parameters
Period: 224.131 minutes
Inclination: 120.8502 deg
SMA: 12222.544 km
Apoapsis: 5851.414 km
Periapsis: 5837.404 km
RAAN: 309.2145 deg
Eccentricy: 0.0005731
Argument of periapsis: 171.04 deg
Mean anomaly: 189.0305 deg
Mean motion: 6.42481104 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): -0.0000001 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.0 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: May 6, 2025, 3:54 a.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: May 5, 2025, 10:04 a.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 EXPLORER 38 (RAE-A)
TLE line 1: 1 03307U 68055A 25125.41949096 -.00000010 00000-0 00000-0 0 9996
TLE line 2: 2 03307 120.8502 309.2145 0005731 171.0400 189.0305 6.42481104333236
Live tracking on map
Real-time ground track for satellite EXPLORER 38 (RAE-A).
In-orbit conjunctions
There are no conjunctions computed for EXPLORER 38 (RAE-A), at the moment. Check back to stay up to date, as we update our databases every day.
Go to all conjunctionsAssociated space launch
The RAE A (Radio Astronomy Explorer A) spacecraft measured the intensity of celestial radio sources, particularly the sun, as a function of time, direction, and frequency (0.2 to 20 MHz).
EXPLORER 38 (RAE-A) was lifted into orbit during the mission ‘Thor Delta J | RAE 1’, on board a Thor Delta J space rocket.
The launch took place on July 4, 1968, 5:26 p.m. from Space Launch Complex 2E.
For more information about the launch, click the button.
Thor Delta J | RAE 1
Agency: N/A
Status: Launch Successful
Launch date: July 4, 1968, 5:26 p.m. UTC
Rocket: Thor Delta J
Launch pad: Space Launch Complex 2E
Location: Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
...
Latest news about this satellite
There are no fresh news available about this satellite. Check back as we update our databases every day.
Newsletter sign-up
Weekly statistics, charts and insights to help you stay on top of the space industry.