Space Brief 25 Mar 2025
Today's brief covers SpaceX's launch of a secret US spy satellite, national security satellite launches, and Japan's missile ambitions. Also highlighted are Estonia's AI defense upgrades and autonomous airpower in Australia.
Launch Date
August 29, 1996
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC43/3
Launch Vehicle
Molniya 8K78M
NORAD ID
24296
International Designator
1996-050F
Epoch
Sun, 05 Jul 2026 03:41:59 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
62.65°
Right Ascension
193.92°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
262.81°
Period
346.94 min
Mean Motion
4.15 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
SL-6 R/B(2)
Alternative Name
Blok 2BL 44-806
Type
Status
Owner
VKS
Country
Russia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 24296U 96050F 26186.15415852 .00000093 00000+0 -98318-4 0 9992
2 24296 62.6547 193.9152 5571183 262.8080 34.1234 04.15063173452403
Source: Celestrak
Length
2.6
Diameter
2.4
Span
2.4
Dry Mass
900
Launch Mass
3770
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
6.9799
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Blok 2BL No. 71644-806
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
RKKE
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Blok-L
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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