SPIRALE A

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10-day predictions
SPIRALE A is classified as:

Military

NORAD ID: 33751

Int'l Code: 2009-008C

Perigee: 296.8 km

Apogee: 17,291.3 km

Inclination: 2.1 °

Period: 309.8 minutes

Semi major axis: 15165 km

RCS: 0.631 m² (medium)

Launch date: February 12, 2009
Source: France (FR)
Launch site: FRENCH GUIANA (FRGUI)

SPIRALE A 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.

1 33751U 09008C   26019.45422528  .00009667  00000-0  17706-2 0  9997
2 33751   2.1217  52.0582 5603205 288.3133  20.4099  4.64877032255260

Source of the keplerian elements: AFSPC