Space Brief 6 Sep 2025
Today's brief covers China's latest experimental launch to GEO and new commercial satellites, insights from hyperspectral imagery on underground structures, and the Space Force's material testing for Mars missions.
Launch Date
September 1, 1962
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC1
Launch Vehicle
Molniya 8K78
NORAD ID
00381
International Designator
1962-043A
Decay Date
9/6/1962
Name
SPUTNIK 20
Alternative Name
AMS
Type
Status
Owner
OKB1
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Apologies, there is no summary for this satellite yet. I am working to generate these for every object in the catalog, but it is going to take time.
Length
2.8
Diameter
1.1
Span
4
Dry Mass
600
Launch Mass
600
Shape
Step Cyl + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
2MV-1 No. 2
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
OKB1
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
MV
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
KDU-414
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Today's brief covers China's latest experimental launch to GEO and new commercial satellites, insights from hyperspectral imagery on underground structures, and the Space Force's material testing for Mars missions.
SpaceX attempts its 600th Falcon 9 booster landing during the Starlink 17-22 mission, adding 25 satellites from Vandenberg SFB.
Today's highlights include China's launch of the Shijian-25 for on-orbit refueling tests, major Pentagon contracts for solid rocket motors and hypersonic testing, and the US Space Force's record-setting year of launches.
SpaceX launches 28 more Starlink satellites while addressing conflicts of interest and expanding home connectivity with a new router.
SpaceX achieves significant milestones with multiple satellite launches and ongoing challenges in rural broadband funding. Noteworthy advances in Starlink capabilities enhance international connectivity.
Latest updates include China's Lijian-1 launching 15 satellites, a fiery Starlink reentry, SpaceX's milestone Falcon 9 booster landing, and China's support for its commercial space sector.
U.S. Space Force selects Boeing's 702MP spacecraft for next-generation MUOS satellites. Rocket Lab delivers Synspective's 10th StriX radar satellite. Track both missions.
Space Force sees strategic value in asteroid mining. Congress pushes back on R-GPS phase-out over jamming risks. BlackSky expands Gen 3 defense contracts.