Space Brief 18 Aug 2025
Today's Space Brief covers significant satellite launches by SpaceX, an automated collision avoidance system development, Rocket Lab's strategic acquisition, and the rise of corporate-named satellites in orbit.
Launch Date
October 16, 1997
Launch Site
XICLF
Launch Pad
LC2
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 3B
NORAD ID
25010
International Designator
1997-062A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 20:12:12 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
10.76°
Right Ascension
47.60°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
304.75°
Period
1451.51 min
Mean Motion
0.99 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Name
APSTAR-2R (TELSTAR 10)
Alternative Name
Apstar 2R
Type
Status
Owner
APT
Country
China(Hong Kong)
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 25010U 97062A 26184.84180850 .00000073 00000-0 00000-0 0 9997
2 25010 10.7567 47.5956 0008318 304.7466 302.6090 0.99207234104698
Source: Celestrak
Length
2.6
Diameter
2.4
Span
27.3
Dry Mass
1415
Launch Mass
3747
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
7.9433
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Apstar 2R
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
LOR
Life Expectancy
14 years
Bus
FS-1300
Configuration
SSL-1300
Motor
R-4D-11
Equipment
28 C-band transponders, 15 Ku-band transponders
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Today's Space Brief covers significant satellite launches by SpaceX, an automated collision avoidance system development, Rocket Lab's strategic acquisition, and the rise of corporate-named satellites in orbit.
Today's briefing covers the U.S. Space Force's substantial investments in commercial satellite services, a strategic military shift, Chinese space station upgrades, and NASA's policy changes.
SpaceX receives FAA approval for its 10th Starship test flight scheduled for August 24, while also making strides in construction at the Cape and contesting broadband funding in Virginia.
Today’s highlights focus on the launch preparations for the Dragoon Mission, China’s seismo-electromagnetic satellite launch, NASA budget cut impacts, and a major expansion by American Pacific Corporation.
Space Force suspends all Vulcan launches pending solid rocket booster investigation. Rocket Lab scrubs HASTE hypersonic vehicle launch. Military space funding hits record highs.
Starship Flight 12 status for May 2026: SpaceX targets mid-May with a revised trajectory, while Starlink 10-38 lofts 29 satellites from Cape Canaveral.
Today's brief covers the first astronaut with a disability preparing for the ISS mission, SpaceX’s recent Starlink launch, funding breakthroughs for satellite tech company K2 Space, and updates on the Artemis program's challenges.
SpaceX launches 29 Starlink satellites in first deployment since recent satellite issues. Falcon 9 also delivers Italy's COSMO-SkyMed CSG-FM3 from Vandenberg. Starship plans solidified for 2026.