CYGFM04

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10-day predictions
CYGFM04 is classified as:

NORAD ID: 41885

Int'l Code: 2016-078B

Perigee: 486.4 km

Apogee: 499.4 km

Inclination: 34.9 °

Period: 94.3 minutes

Semi major axis: 6863 km

RCS: Unknown

Launch date: December 15, 2016
Source: United States (US)
Launch site: Pegasus launched from Eastern Range Air Space (ERAS)

CYGFM04 is one of the eight research satellites launched by a winged Orbital ATK Pegasus XL rocket to fly around the tropics and return measurements of winds at the cores of hurricanes. The wind data should help scientists better understand the formation, growth and dissipation of tropical cyclones, and lessons from the $157 million Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System may improve hurricane forecasting, particularly the strength of storms at landfall. Researchers compare the way CYGNSS works to the human eye's perception of a full moon reflected in a body of water. Calm winds will make for a perfectly resolved reflection of the moon, while windy conditions will scatter the moon's image in a glistening effect.

1 41885U 16078B   24117.69216277  .00018031  00000-0  66888-3 0  9995
2 41885  34.9475 251.3767 0009468 111.7829 248.3894 15.26689148408298

Source of the keplerian elements: AFSPC