Air Force One Gets Starlink, Astrobotic Acquired | KeepTrack Space Brief
Trump's interim Air Force One—a $400M Boeing 747-8—equipped with Starlink for presidential communications. First confirmed LEO constellation use for White House comms.
Launch Date
September 7, 1983
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC16/2
Launch Vehicle
Soyuz-U
NORAD ID
14326
International Designator
1983-093A
Decay Date
10/19/1983
Name
COSMOS 1496
Alternative Name
Kosmos-1496
Type
Status
Owner
GUKOS
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Length
6.3
Diameter
2.7
Span
6.3
Dry Mass
2886
Launch Mass
2886
Shape
Cone + Cyl
Radar Cross Section
102.79
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Oktan No. 11L
Purpose
Reconnaissance, photo (film return type)
Mission
Reconnaissance, photo (film return type)
Manufacturer
TSSKB
Life Expectancy
45 days
Bus
Yantar'-4K1
Configuration
Yantar Bus, main reentry module, 2 small reentry capsules
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Zhemchug-18 camera
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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