Space Force Eyes Asteroid Mining, Clashes With Congress on R-GPS | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force sees strategic value in asteroid mining. Congress pushes back on R-GPS phase-out over jamming risks. BlackSky expands Gen 3 defense contracts.
Launch Date
January 21, 1982
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC4W
Launch Vehicle
Titan 24B
NORAD ID
13040
International Designator
1982-006A
Decay Date
5/23/1982
Name
OPS 2849
Alternative Name
OPS 2849
Type
Status
Owner
NRO/SAFSP
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Length
5.7
Diameter
1.5
Span
5.7
Dry Mass
2400
Launch Mass
2400
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
38.17
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
GAMBIT-3 FM-52
Purpose
Reconnaissance, photo
Mission
Reconnaissance, photo
Manufacturer
LMSC
Life Expectancy
122 days
Bus
KH-8
Configuration
Agena-D
Motor
Bell 8096, SPS
Equipment
?
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Space Force sees strategic value in asteroid mining. Congress pushes back on R-GPS phase-out over jamming risks. BlackSky expands Gen 3 defense contracts.
SpaceX's X-37B spaceplane launch, featuring advanced tech, highlights today’s space events. The launch of the first reprogrammable navigation satellite by the US Space Force is another significant milestone.
Thirteen years ago, a new rocket lifted off from the edge of the Amazon rainforest, marking Europe's entry into the small satellite launch market and carrying the dreams of university students across a continent
SpaceX progresses with Starship developments and sets sights on NASA's upcoming 3D sky-mapping satellite launch.
SpaceX's 2024 launch surge sets global records, with Florida making history in the U.S. Find out how these achievements are shaping the commercial space race.
Starlink satellite count for April 2026: 10,177 in orbit, 10,168 working from 11,724 launched. No new anomalies, four reentries expected Apr 5-7.
Today's briefing highlights recent launches and failures, including an Indian radar satellite setback, successful Rocket Lab missions, and China's debut of upgraded rocket technology.
SpaceX makes strides with Starship testing while Starlink faces mounting competition as Viasat eyes Telesat's LEO capacity.