Space Brief 10 May 2025
Today's brief covers Rocket Lab's Neutron being selected for military tests, Space Force's strategic updates, Germany's SAR satellite plans, and a significant NASA nomination.
Launch Date
June 5, 1989
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA2
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 44L
NORAD ID
20041
International Designator
1989-041B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:55:11 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
13.98°
Right Ascension
346.42°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
309.13°
Period
1430.53 min
Mean Motion
1.01 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Name
DFS 1
Alternative Name
Kopernikus
Type
Status
Owner
DBP
Country
Germany
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 20041U 89041B 26185.12166508 .00000079 00000-0 00000-0 0 9996
2 20041 13.9816 346.4245 0012751 309.1270 243.0340 1.00661737124669
Source: Celestrak
Length
3.4
Diameter
1.7
Span
15.4
Dry Mass
645
Launch Mass
1415
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
2.5119
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
DFS 1
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
MBB
Life Expectancy
10 years
Bus
Spacebus 100
Configuration
GESAT-Bus
Motor
S400
Equipment
10 (+5) Ku-band transponders, 1 Ka-band transponder
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Today's brief covers Rocket Lab's Neutron being selected for military tests, Space Force's strategic updates, Germany's SAR satellite plans, and a significant NASA nomination.
SpaceX continues to make strides in both its Starship program and Starlink satellite deployments, with a successful launch of 24 Starlink satellites and preparations for upcoming missions.
A recap of notable space events including the Soyuz MS-26 launch to the ISS, Polaris Dawn's altitude achievement, and satellite tracking updates.
U.S. Space Force selects Boeing's 702MP spacecraft for next-generation MUOS satellites. Rocket Lab delivers Synspective's 10th StriX radar satellite. Track both missions.
NASA's Artemis 2 launches April 1 with Commander Reid Wiseman and 3 crew members for first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo 17 in 1972.
NASA is adding 6 post-certification crew missions to SpaceX's contract as Boeing remains unable to certify Starliner for operational flights.
Today's brief explores rising investments in space with defense ties, potential Space Force-NRO coordination, and more, offering insight into current military and defense satellite dynamics.
Today's briefing covers the latest satellite communications advancements, a secretive military launch by SpaceX, and new space defense organizational structures.