Satellite description

UFO 8 (USA 138), 25258 is a payload satellite owned by USN PMW 146 (US) in GEO that was launched on Mon, 16 Mar 1998 UTC via an ATLAS II launch vehicle from the Air Force Eastern Test Range (AFETR). Payload-class satellites include a variety of spacecraft equipped with specific instruments for various scientific and technological missions. These include communications satellites like Starlink; space stations such as the ISS; scientific satellites like the Hubble; Earth observation satellites from companies like Planet Labs, Umbra, and HawkEye 360; GPS; miniature CubeSats for education and research; and military/defense satellites.

Satellite metadata

Identifier

25258, 1998-016A

Orbit

GEO

Last TLE update

8 hours ago

Origin

PMW146 (US)

Manufacturer

Hughes

Mission

Non-operational Defense Communications

Bus & Motor

HS-601, R-4D-11-300

Mass

3,200 kg wet, ~1,350 kg dry

Launch date (UTC)

1998-03-16 (27 years ago)

Launch vehicle

ATLAS II

Launch site

Air Force Eastern Test Range (AFETR)

Object type

Payload

Rocket body

Debris

Shape & HBR

Hex Poly + 2 Pan, 26.2 m

Radar Cross Section

69.760 m², Large (>1 m²)