SpaceX Wins $178.5M Space Force Contract, X Report 3 Apr 2026
SpaceX secured a $178.5M Space Force contract to launch missile-tracking satellites from 2027, backing the Missile Track Custody threat-tracking layer.
LES-8 (08746)
COSPAR: 1976-023A | Alt Name: LES 8
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 15, 1976
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
Titan IIIC
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
08746
International Designator
1976-023A
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 13:40:38 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
22.45°
Right Ascension
36.61°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
159.42°
Period
1436.15 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info
Name
LES-8
Alternative Name
LES 8
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
SAMSO
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 08746U 76023A 26200.56989181 -.00000119 00000+0 00000+0 0 9990
2 08746 22.4504 36.6128 0032192 159.4155 200.8891 01.00268125130004
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
2.9
Diameter
1.2
Span
4
Dry Mass
366
Launch Mass
420
Shape
Box + Ant
Radar Cross Section
1.8059
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
LES 8
Purpose
Communication, experimental
Mission
Communication, experimental
Manufacturer
MITLL
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
LES
Configuration
Box, 3-axis stabilized
Motor
ablative pulsed plasma thruster
Equipment
UHF transponder, K-Band interorbit communication payload, 2 MHW-RTG
Power System
2 MHW-RTG
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Vulcan Grounded as GEM 63XL Booster Passes Test | KeepTrack Space Brief
ULA's Vulcan remains grounded after February in-flight GEM 63XL booster anomaly. Northrop Grumman completed successful static fire test, but investigation ongoing with no return-to-flight date.
Space Brief 30 Aug 2025
Today's briefing covers the latest satellite communications advancements, a secretive military launch by SpaceX, and new space defense organizational structures.
SpaceX Wins $4.16B Space Force Contract, X Report 3 Jun 2026
SpaceX wins a $4.16 billion Space Force satellite contract to track airborne threats worldwide, while dual-pad launches add 53 Starlink satellites.
Space Brief 30 Jul 2025
Today's highlights include Space Force's new satcom design contracts, advances in AI training tools, Pentagon drone policy shifts, and the first Eris launch's failure.
The Day Two Astronauts Proved We Could Reach the Moon
Sixty years ago, Frank Borman and James Lovell launched aboard Gemini 7 for a grueling 14-day mission that would prove humans could endure the journey to the moon and achieve the first true rendezvous in space
X Report 13 Feb 2025
SpaceX and NASA swap Crew Dragon for Crew-10 mission; exciting 'space jellyfish' phenomena from recent launch.
Space Brief 31 May 2025
Today's brief covers a significant GPS satellite launch by SpaceX, China's classified satellite mission, and Rocket Lab's strategic steps in the defense sector.