Key statistics
Satellite EXPLORER 20 at a glance.
Uptime
22335
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: 103.469 minutes
Inclination: 79.8996 deg
SMA: 7300.733 km
Apoapsis: 993.075 km
Periapsis: 852.121 km
RAAN: 181.2274 deg
Eccentricy: 0.00965338
Argument of periapsis: 197.368 deg
Mean anomaly: 162.4168 deg
Mean motion: 13.91723832 rev/day
Mean motion (dot): 0.00000166 rev/day2
B* drag term: 0.00012022091 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, 11:33 p.m. UTC
TLE line 0: 0 EXPLORER 20
TLE line 1: 1 00870U 64051A 25291.98182497 .00000166 00000-0 12022-3 0 9991
TLE line 2: 2 00870 79.8996 181.2274 0096534 197.3680 162.4168 13.91723832 99882
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
...
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.
