Space Brief 18 Jul 2025
Today's highlights include Space Force prioritizing military missions, testing new GPS satellite software, and international defense collaborations impacting space assets.
Launch Date
February 17, 1971
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC10W
Launch Vehicle
Thor Burner 2
NORAD ID
04957
International Designator
1971-012C
Decay Date
10/17/1989
Name
OPS 5268 (CALSPHERE 3)
Alternative Name
S70-4 Drag Sphere
Type
Status
Owner
Naval Research Laboratory
Country
United States
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
0.3
Diameter
0.3
Span
0.3
Dry Mass
1
Launch Mass
1
Shape
Sphere
Radar Cross Section
0.2684
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
NRL PL170A
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
Naval Research Laboratory
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
NRL 10
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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