Space Brief 26 Oct 2025
Today's brief covers a new Space Force contract for advanced tracking systems, innovative debris removal strategies, pivotal new satellite launches, and significant updates in air quality tracking from orbit.
Launch Date
April 19, 2000
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA2
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 42L
NORAD ID
26298
International Designator
2000-020A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:59:38 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
12.77°
Right Ascension
23.93°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
205.32°
Period
1442.41 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Name
GALAXY 4R (G-4R)
Alternative Name
Galaxy 4R
Type
Status
Owner
PAN
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 26298U 00020A 26185.04142295 -.00000297 00000-0 00000-0 0 9997
2 26298 12.7654 23.9270 0004149 205.3247 177.6100 0.99833228 95794
Source: Celestrak
Length
4
Diameter
2.7
Span
26
Dry Mass
1895
Launch Mass
3668
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
26.0093
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Galaxy IVR
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
HSES
Life Expectancy
15 years
Bus
HS-601HP
Configuration
HS-601HP
Motor
R-4D-11-300
Equipment
24 C-band transpondes, 24 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 brief covers a new Space Force contract for advanced tracking systems, innovative debris removal strategies, pivotal new satellite launches, and significant updates in air quality tracking from orbit.
China's Tianlong-3 rocket failed during ascent on debut launch Friday. SpaceX secured $178.5M Space Force contract for missile tracking satellite launches beginning 2027.
Sixty years ago, Frank Borman and James Lovell launched aboard Gemini 7 for a grueling 14-day mission that would prove humans could endure the journey to the moon and achieve the first true rendezvous in space
NASA's Artemis II launches 4 astronauts on lunar flyby April 1. Soyuz-5 inaugural flight confirmed for April 3. Space warfare doctrines shift toward agentic AI for faster decision loops.
SpaceX wraps up the year with significant launches, including a record-setting Astranis deployment and Starlink missions signaling the year's end.
SpaceX hits 77 Falcon 9 launches in 2026 as EchoStar subsidiaries file Chapter 11 and Musk disputes WSJ AI phone claims.
Boeing opens new facility to boost missile-tracking sensor production for military satellites. Tory Bruno joins Blue Origin for national security projects. 25 Starlink sats launched.
Today's updates cover crucial developments in satellite licensing reforms, defense cybersecurity, and AI integration within government sectors.