Space Brief 22 Aug 2025
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.
Launch Date
August 27, 1994
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC41
Launch Vehicle
Titan 401A/Centaur
NORAD ID
23223
International Designator
1994-054A
Decay Date
Unknown
Name
USA 105
Alternative Name
USA 105
Type
Status
Owner
NROC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Length
10
Diameter
4
Span
100
Dry Mass
4500
Launch Mass
4500
Shape
Box + Dish
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
MERCURY 14
Purpose
SIGINT, COMINT, ELINT
Mission
SIGINT, COMINT, ELINT
Manufacturer
HSES
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Adv Vortex
Configuration
Large Dish Antenna, 3-Axis-Stabilization
Motor
?
Equipment
?
Power System
Solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
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.
Virgin Media O2 launches Europe's first Starlink direct-to-smartphone service in the UK. SpaceX launches 29 more Starlink satellites. Dragon cargo capsule returns after 6-month ISS mission.
SpaceX concludes a wet dress rehearsal for Starship Flight 7, aiming for the largest rocket launch on January 15 after weather delays.
Today's brief covers key developments in satellite launches, missile defense strategies, advanced IoT satellite connectivity, and the projected growth of the satellite market driven by defense needs.
Artemis II crew surpassed Apollo 13's distance record during April 6 lunar flyby. Orion carried 4 astronauts—including Canadian Jeremy Hansen—farther from Earth than any humans.
Today's space brief highlights intriguing military satellite developments, new space launch strategies to counteract observation threats, and potential European defense industry advancements.
Spacewalks have resumed on the ISS, while Blue Origin prepares for a unique New Shepard mission. In other news, astronomers push for a ban on space ads and potential budget cuts threaten the JWST.
From Apollo's darkest days to humanity's first transmission from Venus, we spent 2025 remembering the missions that made modern spaceflight possible. Here's what we covered - and why we're committed to keeping this series going.