Space Brief 22 Sep 2025
Today's edition highlights the operational deployment of HawkEye 360's Cluster 12, Shandong's record satellite launch, Planet Labs' latest imaging achievements, SpaceX's Starlink launches, and more.
OPS 3674 (VELA 4) (00837)
COSPAR: 1964-040B | Alt Name: Vela II-B
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
July 17, 1964
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC13
Launch Vehicle
Atlas Agena D
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
00837
International Designator
1964-040B
Epoch
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 23:24:02 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
48.59°
Right Ascension
120.16°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
256.48°
Period
6000.51 min
Mean Motion
0.24 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
OPS 3674 (VELA 4)
Alternative Name
Vela II-B
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
AFSSD
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 00837U 64040B 26201.97503102 .00000091 00000+0 00000+0 0 9998
2 00837 48.5945 120.1606 6268831 256.4795 359.1589 00.23997961 54806
Source: Celestrak
Summary
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.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.4
Diameter
1.4
Span
1.4
Dry Mass
125
Launch Mass
125
Shape
Poly
Radar Cross Section
0.003
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Vela 2B
Purpose
Nuclear Detection
Mission
Nuclear Detection
Manufacturer
TRW
Life Expectancy
6 months (design)
Bus
Vela
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
BE-3
Equipment
12 external X-ray detectors and 18 internal neutron and gamma-ray detectors
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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