BLITS

Track BLITS now!
10-day predictions
BLITS is classified as:

Experimental

NORAD ID: 35871

Int'l Code: 2009-049G

Perigee: 824.1 km

Apogee: 829.0 km

Inclination: 98.4 °

Period: 101.3 minutes

Semi major axis: 7197 km

RCS: 0.0821 m² (small)

Launch date: September 17, 2009
Source: Commonwealth of Independent States (former USSR) (CIS)
Launch site: TYURATAM MISSILE AND SPACE COMPLEX (TTMTR)

BLITS is a 7.53-kilogram nanosatellite consisting of two outer hemispheres made of a low-refraction-index glass. It is developed and manufactured by the IPIE center, under a 2006 agreement between Roskosmos and International Laser Ranging Service. The purpose of the mission is experimental verification of the spherical glass retroreflector satellite concept. A small spherical retroreflector of the same type (6cm in diameter) was flying onboard of the Meteor-3M satellite in 2001-2006.

1 35871U 09049G   16272.02461351 -.00000011  00000-0  13833-4 0  9991
2 35871  98.4398 295.8221 0003437 171.6413 188.4823 14.21760753364155

Source of the keplerian elements: AFSPC