Space Brief 6 Dec 2025
Discover the latest developments in hypersonic missile production, defense innovation strategies, and satellite infrastructure resilience impacting military operations.
Launch Date
October 24, 1996
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC43/4
Launch Vehicle
Molniya 8K78M
NORAD ID
24640
International Designator
1996-060A
Decay Date
10/18/2007
Name
MOLNIYA 3-48
Alternative Name
Molniya-3
Type
Status
Owner
VKS/GPKS
Country
Russia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Length
3.6
Diameter
1.6
Span
8.1
Dry Mass
1700
Launch Mass
1750
Shape
Cyl + 6 Pan
Radar Cross Section
17.2612
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Molniya-3 No. 62
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
NPOPMR
Life Expectancy
3 years
Bus
Molniya-3
Configuration
KAUR-2
Motor
KDU-414A (S5.114) or 11D414NS
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
6 deployable solar arrays (1000 W), batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Discover the latest developments in hypersonic missile production, defense innovation strategies, and satellite infrastructure resilience impacting military operations.
SpaceX successfully launched 27 Starlink satellites while facing new competition for its satellite programs, including potential alternatives for the Space Force.
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SpaceX successfully launched another batch of Starlink satellites while marking a significant milestone with the 500th Falcon 9 mission. Additionally, the company is preparing for further testing of its Starship system and has begun collaborating with Amazon on their Project Kuiper constellation.
SpaceX set to launch GPS 3-9 for Space Force after strategic switch from ULA's Vulcan to Falcon 9. 25 Starlink satellites deployed to polar orbit. Musk explains SpaceX exponential growth trajectory.
Firefly Aerospace launches return-to-flight Firefly Alpha on March 10 after Flight 6 anomaly. SpaceX also launches EchoStar 25 GEO satellite and multiple Starlink batches this week.
Space Force suspends all Vulcan launches pending solid rocket booster investigation. Rocket Lab scrubs HASTE hypersonic vehicle launch. Military space funding hits record highs.
Forty years ago today, a Delta 3914 lifted off Cape Canaveral with a weather satellite the country could not afford to lose. Seventy-one seconds later, its main engine cut off. Ninety-one seconds in, the range safety officer pressed his button. The third domino of a brutal 1986 had fallen.