Space Brief 29 Jul 2025
Today's brief covers developments in space traffic management, the X-37B spaceplane's upcoming mission, and satellite interference with radio telescopes.
SPOT 4 (25260)
COSPAR: 1998-017A | Alt Name: SPOT-4
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 24, 1998
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA2
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 40
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
25260
International Designator
1998-017A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 23:17:16 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
98.25°
Right Ascension
280.48°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
164.97°
Period
98.89 min
Mean Motion
14.56 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SPOT 4
Alternative Name
SPOT-4
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
CNES
Country
France
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 25260U 98017A 26184.97032466 .00000426 00000-0 10678-3 0 9995
2 25260 98.2473 280.4831 0012863 164.9664 195.1919 14.56114898481759
Source: Celestrak
Summary
SPOT 4 was an Earth observation satellite, designated 1998-017A under NORAD's tracking catalog and launched on March 24, 1998, from the ELA2 launch pad at Kourou (FRGUI) using the Ariane 40 launch vehicle. Operated by CNES, this satellite was part of the SPOT mission series with a configuration known as SPOT Mk.2. It measured 5.6 meters in length, had a diameter of 2.5 meters and spanned approximately 10 meters when its equipment was deployed. The satellite's dry mass was 2,600 kg, while it weighed 2,755 kg at launch.
Equipped with instruments such as HRVIR, VMI, DORIS, SILEX, PASTEC, and POAM-3, SPOT 4 was designed for a five-year mission lifespan. Its power supply consisted of deployable solar arrays and batteries. The satellite adopted a box plus pan shape and had an RCS value of 6.193. SPOT 4 was manufactured by MMST (Matra Marconi Space Toulouse) and stabilized through its onboard control system, SPOT AOCS.
Physical Characteristics
Length
5.6
Diameter
2.5
Span
10
Dry Mass
2600
Launch Mass
2755
Shape
Box + Pan
Radar Cross Section
6.193
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
SPOT-4
Purpose
Earth observation
Mission
Earth observation
Manufacturer
MMST
Life Expectancy
5 years (design)
Bus
SPOT
Configuration
SPOT Mk.2
Motor
SPOT AOCS
Equipment
HRVIR, VMI, DORIS, SILEX, PASTEC, POAM-3
Power System
Deployable solar array, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
X Report 9 Sep 2025
Important updates include SpaceX's $19 billion spectrum deal with EchoStar, a successful super heavy booster test, and recent setbacks in launching due to poor weather.
Space Force Eyes 1,000 Launches by 2031, New Site Required | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force projects ~1,000 launches between FY2027–FY2031, averaging 200 annually. DAF study concludes new launch site is "probably" required to absorb cadence.
X Report 19 Jan 2025
SpaceX prepares to launch 27 Starlink satellites in its first mission since the recent Starship explosion, while the FAA investigates debris reports from the failed test flight.
Vulcan Booster Anomaly Under Scrutiny After USSF-87 Launch | KeepTrack Space Brief
ULA Vulcan faces scrutiny after solid booster anomaly on USSF-87 mission. ThinKom wins portable satellite ground station contract. Space Force starts Project Hecate for GPS past 2040.
NLRB Drops SpaceX Oversight Case, Booster 19 Tests Complete | KeepTrack X Report
US labor board drops oversight case against SpaceX. Booster 19 completes cryogenic testing at upgraded Massey's. SpaceX IPO expected to reshape space investment landscape.
AI Outperforms Human Planners in Air Force Battle Management Test | KeepTrack Space Brief
AI tools outperform human planners in Air Force battle management experiment. DARPA pursues quantum computing interoperability. Canada's Atlantic Spaceport Complex gets environmental approval.
Space Brief 17 Dec 2023
Rocket Lab's successful Electron return to flight, China's third Shenlong mission, lessons from Virgin Orbit's failure in the UK, Hubble's 30-year post-repair anniversary, and a summary of recent global launches.