Space Brief 19 Dec 2025
Today's brief highlights significant developments in space defense, innovation fund challenges, and international defense agreements impacting satellite utilities.
EXPLORER 13 (00180)
COSPAR: 1961-022A | Alt Name: Explorer 13
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 25, 1961
Launch Site
WLPIS
Launch Pad
LA3
Launch Vehicle
Scout X-1
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
00180
International Designator
1961-022A
Decay Date
8/28/1961
Basic Satellite Info
Name
EXPLORER 13
Alternative Name
Explorer 13
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
LARCN
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
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
2.2
Diameter
0.6
Span
2.2
Dry Mass
62
Launch Mass
62
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
NASA S-55A
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
LARCN
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
S-55
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Space Brief 18 Sep 2024
Today's Space Brief covers Rocket Lab's IoT satellite launch, SpaceX's European Galileo satellites, FAA's fine on SpaceX, Polaris Dawn mission achievements, and more.
Crew-11 Completes First-Ever ISS Medical Evacuation, SpaceX Sets Pad Record | KeepTrack X Report
Crew-11 astronauts splashdown off California in first-ever ISS medical evacuation. SpaceX sets pad turnaround record at Cape Canaveral with Starlink 6-98 deploying 29 satellites.
Rocket Lab to Acquire Iridium for $8B, X Report 30 Jun 2026
Rocket Lab will acquire Iridium for $8B to challenge SpaceX, whose Starlink constellation holds 10,706 working satellites of 12,390 launched.
Artemis 2 Crew Returns After 50-Year Lunar Flyby | KeepTrack Space Brief
Artemis 2 astronauts completed first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo 17, traveling 690,000 miles aboard Orion. Four crew validated deep-space systems.
10 Surprising Facts About SpaceX
Discover lesser-known aspects of SpaceX's history, achievements, and innovations that have shaped the commercial space industry over the past two decades.
Space Brief 24 Nov 2024
Today's briefing covers Blue Origin's New Glenn nearing its first launch, SpaceX's 400th Falcon 9 mission with Starlink satellites, advancements in space-based weather prediction, and more.
Suborbital Tourism Scorecard 2026, the Edge of Space Goes Quiet
Twenty-two years after SpaceShipOne, the two companies that defined suborbital tourism are both sitting on the ground. Blue Origin parked New Shepard in January, Virgin Galactic has not flown a customer since 2024, and the math behind the whole business is finally getting an honest look.