Key statistics
Satellite EXPLORER 20 at a glance.
Uptime
22284
Days in orbit
Revolutions
≈ 13.9
Per day
Orbit
LEO
Low Earth Orbit
Inclination
79.9
Latest
Satellite identification and parameters
Extended collection of information and parameters for EXPLORER 20.
Object identification
Identified? True
Debris? False
Object name: EXPLORER 20
International designator: 1964-051A
Object number (NORAD): 870
Object ID (CCSDS): 870
Country: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (US)
Current information (Y/N): Y
RCS size: MEDIUM
Orbital parameters
Period: 103.47 minutes
Inclination: 79.8948 deg
SMA: 7300.796 km
Apoapsis: 993.25 km
Periapsis: 852.072 km
RAAN: 236.7614 deg
Eccentricy: 0.00966868
Argument of periapsis: 332.3527 deg
Mean anomaly: 27.2505 deg
Mean motion: 13.91705739 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.0000016 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.00011598083 1/REarth
Two-line elements (TLE)
Creation date: Aug. 29, 2025, 2:15 a.m.
Reference frame: TEME
Reference center: EARTH
Epoch: Aug. 28, 2025, 10:31 p.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 EXPLORER 20
TLE line 1: 1 00870U 64051A 25240.93882333 .00000160 00000-0 11598-3 0 9997
TLE line 2: 2 00870 79.8948 236.7614 0096687 332.3527 27.2505 13.91705739 92784
Live tracking on map
Real-time ground track for satellite EXPLORER 20.
In-orbit conjunctions
A list of the most updated potential collisions computed for object EXPLORER 20.
Associated space launch
Explorer 20 (IE A, Ionospheric Explorer A, TOPSI, Top Side Explorer or S 48) was designed to measure electron distribution, ion density and temperature, and to estimate cosmic noise levels between 2 and 7 MHz.
EXPLORER 20 was lifted into orbit during the mission ‘Scout X-4 | Explorer 20’, on board a Scout X-4 space rocket.
The launch took place on Aug. 25, 1964, 1:43 p.m. from Space Launch Complex 5.
For more information about the launch, click the button.
Scout X-4 | Explorer 20
Agency: N/A
Status: Launch Successful
Launch date: Aug. 25, 1964, 1:43 p.m. UTC
Rocket: Scout X-4
Launch pad: Space Launch Complex 5
Location: Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
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