SpaceX's Military Pivot Takes Center Stage, X Report 19 Jul 2026
This Week In Space Episode 219 examines SpaceX's expanding military ties as Starlink's constellation tops 12,552 satellites launched.
Launch Date
October 8, 1970
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC31
Launch Vehicle
Voskhod 11A57
NORAD ID
04585
International Designator
1970-080E
Decay Date
11/4/1970
Name
COSMOS 368 DEB
Alternative Name
Kapsula Kosmosa-368
Type
Status
Owner
TSKBE3
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Length
1
Diameter
1.8
Span
1.8
Dry Mass
810
Launch Mass
810
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Nauka 1KS No. 3L
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
TSKBE3
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Nauka
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
This Week In Space Episode 219 examines SpaceX's expanding military ties as Starlink's constellation tops 12,552 satellites launched.
Today's Space Brief highlights SpaceX's return to Starlink launches, a call to address space debris, and changes in NASA leadership under the new Trump administration.
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.
A second Starlink satellite has generated on-orbit debris in just over 3 months, threatening SpaceX's 10,151-satellite working constellation.
Notable space events as the year closes: China's record orbital launches, Vandenberg's new launch site, Rocket Lab's achievements, and urgent MAVEN recovery efforts.
Today's Space Brief covers China's Haiyang-4 satellite launch, Intuitive Machines' Artemis infrastructure proposals, deployment of the GREMLIN sensor suite, and more.
Today's focus: Sidus Space's new AI edge computer, Space Force's dynamic operations initiative, and key Pentagon acquisition reforms.
SpaceX launches Twilight rideshare from Vandenberg carrying ~40 payloads including NASA's Pandora satellite. Kepler debuts 10 optical data relay satellites. OroraTech thermal sensors integrated.