Space Brief 16 May 2025
Today's brief covers challenges in Space Force procurement, promising developments in tracking technologies, and significant budget cuts affecting military aerospace projects.
Launch Date
November 20, 2004
Launch Site
Launch Pad
SLC17A
Launch Vehicle
Delta 7320-10C
NORAD ID
28485
International Designator
2004-047A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 23:17:18 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
20.55°
Right Ascension
55.28°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
198.10°
Period
91.72 min
Mean Motion
15.70 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
SWIFT
Alternative Name
Swift
Type
Status
Owner
GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 28485U 04047A 26184.97034998 .00070231 00000-0 54591-3 0 9992
2 28485 20.5532 55.2849 0000844 198.0974 161.9442 15.70001988189502
Source: Celestrak
Length
2.4
Diameter
1.7
Span
5.5
Dry Mass
1470
Launch Mass
1470
Shape
Cyl + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
7.6859
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Swift
Purpose
Astronomy, Gamma Rays
Mission
Astronomy, Gamma Rays
Manufacturer
GDG
Life Expectancy
2 years (nominal)
Bus
SA-200HP
Configuration
SA-200LL
Motor
?
Equipment
BAT, XRT, UVOT
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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