Key statistics
Satellite ESSA 8 (TOS-F) at a glance.
Uptime
20817
Days in orbit
Revolutions
≈ 12.6
Per day
Orbit
SSO
Sun Synchronous Orbit
Inclination
101.7
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: 114.627 minutes
Inclination: 101.6761 deg
SMA: 7816.613 km
Apoapsis: 1463.414 km
Periapsis: 1413.541 km
RAAN: 292.0898 deg
Eccentricy: 0.00319017
Argument of periapsis: 327.165 deg
Mean anomaly: 32.7442 deg
Mean motion: 12.56246523 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): -0.0000002 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.00015050399 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: Dec. 12, 2025, 3:16 a.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: Dec. 11, 2025, 8:03 p.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 ESSA 8 (TOS-F)
TLE line 1: 1 03615U 68114A 25345.83586946 -.00000020 00000-0 15050-3 0 9990
TLE line 2: 2 03615 101.6761 292.0898 0031902 327.1650 32.7442 12.56246523613037
Live tracking on map
Real-time ground track for satellite ESSA 8 (TOS-F).
Associated 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
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