Space Brief 27 Mar 2025
Today's highlights include the certification of ULA's Vulcan rocket for national security missions, developments in nuclear timekeeping for GPS systems, and updates on the Space Force's new warfighting framework.
Launch Date
September 1, 1997
Launch Site
TAISC
Launch Pad
LC7
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 2C-III/SD
NORAD ID
24926
International Designator
1997-048B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 06:58:52 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
86.34°
Right Ascension
320.19°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
231.66°
Period
96.83 min
Mean Motion
14.87 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
DUMMY MASS 2
Alternative Name
Iridium MFS 2
Type
Status
Owner
CASC1
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 24926U 97048B 26185.29088194 .00000469 00000-0 49079-4 0 9996
2 24926 86.3358 320.1856 0005353 231.6634 128.4110 14.87106069561689
Source: Celestrak
Length
4
Diameter
1.2
Span
4
Dry Mass
660
Launch Mass
660
Shape
Box
Radar Cross Section
1.336
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Iridium MFS 2
Purpose
Launch vehicle evaluation
Mission
Launch vehicle evaluation
Manufacturer
MOTO
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Iridium
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
None
Equipment
?
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Today's highlights include the certification of ULA's Vulcan rocket for national security missions, developments in nuclear timekeeping for GPS systems, and updates on the Space Force's new warfighting framework.
Today's Space Brief delves into NASA's lunar nuclear power initiative, a strategic Army data integration project, and a rare SpaceX Falcon booster launch. Also covered are significant advancements in military satellite technology and Navy unmanned surface vehicles.
SpaceX ignited all 6 Starship engines for a full minute at Starbase, while a Falcon 9 added 24 more Starlinks from Vandenberg on July 1.
SpaceX acquires xAI to develop orbital data centers. Starlink terminals bypass Iran's government internet blackouts. Blue Origin escalates defense procurement criticism.
SpaceX successfully launched 23 Starlink satellites, enhancing Direct to Cell capabilities from Florida's Space Coast.
Europe's first high-power all-electric telecom satellite doesn't just sit above the Pacific - it got there on robotic arms and plasma thrusters, broke records doing it, and now keeps your airplane Wi-Fi running between LA and Tokyo.
Rocket Lab Neutron launch schedule holds at Q4 2026 for the first flight as a five-launch contract lands; barge recovery starts on flight two.
Elon Musk provided updates on the anticipated Starship Flight 10, along with insights on SpaceX's progress at Cape Canaveral. Key developments include target timelines for upcoming launches and ongoing efforts in Starship's development.