Key statistics
Satellite ESSA 8 (TOS-F) at a glance.
Uptime
20659
Days in orbit
Revolutions
≈ 12.6
Per day
Orbit
SSO
Sun Synchronous Orbit
Inclination
101.6
Latest
Satellite identification and parameters
Extended collection of information and parameters for ESSA 8 (TOS-F).
Object identification
Identified? True
Debris? False
Object name: ESSA 8 (TOS-F)
International designator: 1968-114A
Object number (NORAD): 3615
Object ID (CCSDS): 3615
Country: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (US)
Current information (Y/N): Y
RCS size: MEDIUM
Orbital parameters
Period: 114.628 minutes
Inclination: 101.6497 deg
SMA: 7816.628 km
Apoapsis: 1463.103 km
Periapsis: 1413.883 km
RAAN: 135.6677 deg
Eccentricy: 0.0031484
Argument of periapsis: 275.1099 deg
Mean anomaly: 84.6382 deg
Mean motion: 12.56242868 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): -0.00000041 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.000023123 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: July 6, 2025, 6:05 p.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: July 6, 2025, 10:31 a.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 ESSA 8 (TOS-F)
TLE line 1: 1 03615U 68114A 25187.43863166 -.00000041 00000-0 23123-4 0 9996
TLE line 2: 2 03615 101.6497 135.6677 0031484 275.1099 84.6382 12.56242868593140
Live tracking on map
Real-time ground track for satellite ESSA 8 (TOS-F).
In-orbit conjunctions
There are no conjunctions computed for ESSA 8 (TOS-F), at the moment. Check back to stay up to date, as we update our databases every day.
Go to all conjunctionsAssociated space launch
The ESSA series was the second generation of US meterological satellites after the TIROS (Television & Infra-Red Observation Satellite) series. They were also called OT (Operational TIROS), TOS (TIROS Operational Satellite).
ESSA 8 (TOS-F) was lifted into orbit during the mission ‘Thor Delta N | ESSA 8’, on board a Thor Delta N space rocket.
The launch took place on Dec. 15, 1968, 5:21 p.m. from Space Launch Complex 2E.
For more information about the launch, click the button.
Thor Delta N | ESSA 8
Agency: N/A
Status: Launch Successful
Launch date: Dec. 15, 1968, 5:21 p.m. UTC
Rocket: Thor Delta N
Launch pad: Space Launch Complex 2E
Location: Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
...
Latest news about this satellite
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