Space Brief 6 Mar 2025
Today's brief covers secret Space Force payloads monitoring China's satellites, collaborations reducing satellite tracking delays, and new AI projects for military operations.
Launch Date
February 15, 1999
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC81/23
Launch Vehicle
Proton-K/DM-2M
NORAD ID
25628
International Designator
1999-005C
Decay Date
2/16/1999
Name
SL-12 PLAT
Alternative Name
Perekhodnik
Type
Status
Owner
RVSNR
Country
Russia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Length
4
Diameter
3.7
Span
4
Dry Mass
800
Launch Mass
800
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
9
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Sredniy perekhodnik
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
KHRR
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Adapter
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Today's brief covers secret Space Force payloads monitoring China's satellites, collaborations reducing satellite tracking delays, and new AI projects for military operations.
SpaceX Falcon 9 launches Starlink 10-50 with two Besxar semiconductor manufacturing test pods. In-space fabrication experiment explores cost reduction for commercial payloads.
Space Force projects ~1,000 launches between FY2027–FY2031, averaging 200 annually. DAF study concludes new launch site is "probably" required to absorb cadence.
Starship Flight 8 set for launch, new milestones in the defense sector, and launch updates dominate today's news.
Europe's bid to break free from the US launch monopoly. How Sweden's Esrange Space Center is transforming access to space, enabling orbital launches, and strengthening strategic independence for the continent.
For nearly two decades, the U.S. Air Force and Space Force have been the world's unofficial civilian space traffic control system. The Department of Commerce's Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) is now taking over that job for commercial satellite operators - in stages, against persistent congressional pressure to kill the program, and with Department of Defense advocates pushing to make it happen before it is too late.
Today's brief highlights the maiden flight of Blue Origin's Blue Ring spacecraft with a new AI-driven space sensor, debates on asteroid defense responsibilities, and updates on the U.S. Space Force's missile shield leadership.
China expands its classified satellite series, Space Force advances cloud-based ground station marketplaces, and the Pentagon grows its satellite network partner list. Highlighting new roles for sensor technology in tracking space debris.