X Report 19 Dec 2025
A partial breakup incident involving a Starlink satellite raised concerns, while SpaceX continued its ambitious projects and launches.
Launch Date
August 8, 1989
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC39B
Launch Vehicle
Space Shuttle
NORAD ID
23366
International Designator
1989-061AN
Decay Date
Unknown
Name
USA 40 R/B DEB
Alternative Name
deb USA-40
Type
Status
Owner
AFSSD2
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Length
0
Diameter
0
Span
0
Dry Mass
0
Launch Mass
0
Shape
N/A
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Unknown
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
Unknown
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Unknown
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
A partial breakup incident involving a Starlink satellite raised concerns, while SpaceX continued its ambitious projects and launches.
Today's coverage includes the cancellation of DARPA's DRACO nuclear propulsion project, global shifts in Earth observation strategy, and new developments in satellite technology and military collaborations.
Today's briefing covers the largest-ever spectrum sharing demo planned by the Pentagon, innovative strategies for drone deployment in the Air Force, and significant military procurement developments.
Falcon 9 resumes flights with 25 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg. SpaceX test-fires rocket ahead of Crew-12 launch. Starbase approved to nearly double its launch site footprint.
Japan's H3 rocket successfully launched June 11, deploying 6 smallsats to orbit after December failure. First return-to-flight for JAXA's flagship heavy-lift vehicle.
SpaceX launched three Block 2 BlueBird satellites for AST SpaceMobile from Cape Canaveral. Block 2 variants are larger with enhanced capacity compared to Block 1 units already in orbit.
SpaceX preps for its sixth Starship test flight, moving the Super Heavy rocket to the pad. China's unveils a Starship-like reusable rocket concept, while Starlink expands with 24 new satellites launched.
On April 25, 1990, the Space Shuttle Discovery's robotic arm lifted a 11,110-kilogram barrel of mirrors and instruments out of the payload bay and released it into orbit. Six weeks later, the first images came back badly out of focus. The Hubble Space Telescope had been ground to the wrong prescription, and America had just spent $2.5 billion on what the press was calling a 'technoturkey.'