Space Brief 9 Feb 2025
Today's highlights include Rocket Lab's successful 2025 kick-off launch, SpaceX's upcoming Starlink deployment, and a significant military satellite contract competition.
Launch Date
December 17, 1973
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC41/1
Launch Vehicle
Soyuz 11A511M
NORAD ID
07006
International Designator
1973-102E
Decay Date
1/2/1974
Name
COSMOS 616 DEB
Alternative Name
KB electropitaniya
Type
Status
Owner
GUKOSR
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Length
1
Diameter
1.8
Span
1.8
Dry Mass
630
Launch Mass
630
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
KBE
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
TSKBE3
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Zenit KBE
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Today's highlights include Rocket Lab's successful 2025 kick-off launch, SpaceX's upcoming Starlink deployment, and a significant military satellite contract competition.
SpaceX continues to make strides in both its Starship program and Starlink satellite deployments, with a successful launch of 24 Starlink satellites and preparations for upcoming missions.
Iran launches drones and missiles at UAE and Saudi targets. Space Force opens secretive tracking data to commercial firms. Falcon 9 breakup linked to lithium pollution in upper atmosphere.
Today's highlights include Canada's and Australia's investment in hypersonic defense, China's successful test of an inflatable space module, and Sweden's support of Ukrainian missile and drone production.
SpaceX successfully launched 29 Starlink satellites on November 14, marking the first of two rapid-fire Falcon 9 missions from Florida's Space Coast in under four hours.
SpaceX launched 25 more Starlink satellites from Vandenberg SFB on March 8, 2026, pushing the active constellation toward 9,914 working spacecraft.
Space Force contracts Viasat and SES for $437M Protected Tactical Satcom-Global program. Four new GEO satellites replace vulnerable single-satellite systems.
SpaceX marks a successful launch of 21 Starlink satellites, follows up after Starship explosion, and influences Qantas flights amid a busy operational schedule.