Military
NORAD ID: 33752
Int'l Code: 2009-008D
Perigee: 234.9 km
Apogee: 33,261.9 km
Inclination: 2.2 °
Period: 583.1 minutes
Semi major axis: 23119 km
Launch date: February 12, 2009
Source: France (FR)
Comments: SPIRALE B is a missile-warning micro-satellite for the French military. The satellite will test a space-based optical early warning system to detect enemy missile launches. The name comes from the French acronym for "Preparatory System for IR Early Warning". Flying in a highly elliptical orbit of 22,300 by 375 miles [35,900 by 600 km], the cube-shaped micro-satellite will take infrared imagery to spot ballistic missiles during their boost phase of flight.
Two Line Element Set (TLE):
1 33752U 09008D 13142.94354152 .00011495 00000-0 17970-2 0 910
2 33752 002.1641 003.1580 7142689 030.6837 356.3748 02.46966705 36287
Source: AFSPC
NASA's NSSDC Master Catalog entry for SPIRALE B
