China Launches VLEO Alliance With Sats Below 300km | KeepTrack Space Brief
China formalized a national VLEO industry alliance with multiple satellites sustaining operations below 300 kilometers altitude. Propulsion startups attracting investment.
PORCUPINE 2 (01577)
COSPAR: 1965-065J | Alt Name: SURCAL 5
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 13, 1965
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
75-1-1
Launch Vehicle
Thor Ablestar
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
01577
International Designator
1965-065J
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:25:40 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
90.03°
Right Ascension
212.15°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
57.30°
Period
107.76 min
Mean Motion
13.36 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
PORCUPINE 2
Alternative Name
SURCAL 5
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
Naval Research Laboratory
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 01577U 65065J 26185.01783389 .00000079 00000-0 13301-3 0 9990
2 01577 90.0288 212.1505 0071717 57.3035 330.5371 13.36257830964909
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
0.2
Diameter
0.2
Span
0.2
Dry Mass
5
Launch Mass
5
Shape
Box
Radar Cross Section
0.2489
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
NRL PL150C
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
Naval Research Laboratory
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Surcal
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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