Space Brief 21 Dec 2025
Today's briefing highlights the SDA's significant satellite award, Blue Origin's groundbreaking flight, and NASA's call for an Artemis review.
Launch Date
July 18, 1998
Launch Site
XICLF
Launch Pad
LC2
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 3B
NORAD ID
25404
International Designator
1998-044A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 20:43:45 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
11.00°
Right Ascension
45.12°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
241.41°
Period
1451.60 min
Mean Motion
0.99 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
ZHONGXING-5B
Alternative Name
Xinnuo 1
Type
Status
Owner
SINO/EURAS
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 25404U 98044A 26184.86372547 -.00000209 00000-0 00000-0 0 9995
2 25404 10.9957 45.1188 0003511 241.4096 295.9113 0.99200832102074
Source: Celestrak
Length
4.2
Diameter
2.5
Span
26
Dry Mass
1150
Launch Mass
2832
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
25.1188
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Xinnuo 1
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
ALC
Life Expectancy
15 years
Bus
Spacebus 3000
Configuration
Spacebus-3000A
Motor
S400
Equipment
24 C-band transponders, 14 Ku-band transponders
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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