Space Brief 5 Mar 2025
Today's brief covers developments in US military space initiatives, advancements in missile technology, and notable military contractor activities.
Launch Date
July 2, 1965
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC17B
Launch Vehicle
Thor Delta C
NORAD ID
01433
International Designator
1965-051B
Epoch
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 04:38:47 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
98.58°
Right Ascension
1.87°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
170.32°
Period
98.45 min
Mean Motion
14.63 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
DELTA 1 R/B
Alternative Name
Delta 32 Stage 3
Type
Status
Owner
GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 01433U 65051B 26201.19360130 .00000473 00000+0 10209-3 0 9990
2 01433 98.5779 1.8686 0038975 170.3170 189.8791 14.62736598199652
Source: Celestrak
Length
1.5
Diameter
0.5
Span
1.5
Dry Mass
60
Launch Mass
60
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
0.5702
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Altair 2 X-258C4 RH-84
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
ABL
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Altair
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Today's brief covers developments in US military space initiatives, advancements in missile technology, and notable military contractor activities.
SpaceX claims a 2nd GPS III launch as ULA's Vulcan investigation stalls, while ESA charters a Crew Dragon ISS mission and Starlink hits 30 launches in 2026.
SpaceX launches multiple Starlink batches, FAA updates for Starship, and NASA plans lunar cargo deliveries involving SpaceX and Blue Origin.
SpaceX successfully launched 43 Starlink satellites across two missions, marking significant achievements at Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg Space Force Bases.
New Glenn's upper stage malfunctioned April 19, stranding AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird 7; the satellite is lost. Vulcan may fly without solid boosters.
On April 17, 2026, the U.S. Space Force officially cancelled the Next Generation Operational Control System after sixteen years of development, cost overruns, and testing failures. The $8 billion program was supposed to unlock the military's encrypted GPS signal. Instead, the satellites are flying with capabilities the ground can't command.
CSIS analysis identifies 75 unusual orbital maneuvers by Chinese GEO satellites over 10 years, consistent with military reconnaissance. Track GEO objects via KeepTrack.
Starlink confirmed operational aboard Air Force One over Pacific. Pentagon awards 10,000 low-cost cruise missiles to 4 contractors under new LCCMP program.