Space Brief 13 Mar 2025
Today's space brief highlights intriguing military satellite developments, new space launch strategies to counteract observation threats, and potential European defense industry advancements.
Launch Date
August 10, 1981
Launch Site
TANSC
Launch Pad
N
Launch Vehicle
N-2
NORAD ID
12678
International Designator
1981-076B
Decay Date
8/24/1981
Name
N-2 R/B(1)
Alternative Name
N-II-8F Stage 2
Type
Status
Owner
NASDA
Country
Japan
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Length
6
Diameter
2.4
Span
6
Dry Mass
950
Launch Mass
950
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
AJ10-118FJ
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
MHITO/AJ
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Ablestar
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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