X Report 19 Apr 2025
SpaceX faces regulatory review for Bahamian rocket landings, positions itself for a major government contract, and a new Star Wars Lego set adds to the fun!
Launch Date
December 18, 2004
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA3
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 5G+
NORAD ID
28492
International Designator
2004-049A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:33:19 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
98.26°
Right Ascension
239.95°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
242.69°
Period
95.82 min
Mean Motion
15.03 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Name
HELIOS 2A
Alternative Name
Helios IIA
Type
Status
Owner
CNES/DGA
Country
France
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 28492U 04049A 26185.14814145 .00001916 00000-0 14806-3 0 9991
2 28492 98.2570 239.9454 0001009 242.6898 117.4223 15.02866871156313
Source: Celestrak
Length
6
Diameter
3.7
Span
10
Dry Mass
4000
Launch Mass
4200
Shape
Box + Pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Helios 2A
Purpose
Reconnaissance, electro-optical
Mission
Reconnaissance, electro-optical
Manufacturer
ASTT
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
SPOT
Configuration
SPOT Mk.3
Motor
?
Equipment
?
Power System
Deployable solar array, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
SpaceX faces regulatory review for Bahamian rocket landings, positions itself for a major government contract, and a new Star Wars Lego set adds to the fun!
Starlink mobile service is planned for the US as SpaceX fires Ship 40's single Raptor in a prelaunch test, with 10,689 Starlink satellites working.
Today's brief covers China's new GEO Yaogan satellite launch, India's record-mass commsat, military tech updates, autonomous systems for maritime security, and insights from satellite imagery of Hurricane Melissa's impact in Jamaica.
Today's highlights include ABL Space shifting its focus to missile defense, Intuitive Machines advocating for Artemis infrastructure reforms, and more updates from space and defense sectors.
Starlink confirmed operational aboard Air Force One over Pacific. Pentagon awards 10,000 low-cost cruise missiles to 4 contractors under new LCCMP program.
Demand surges for nuclear power in space including lunar surface reactors. Pentagon commits $1B as anchor investor in L3Harris missile unit. Orbion delivers 33 electric thrusters for military sats.
Pentagon's $50B Iran supplemental request signals major investment in missile defense and ISR satellites. Amazon reshuffles LEO government leadership amid Kuiper competition.
Today's space news highlights include U.S. military satellite deployments, innovative AI aboard the Chinese space station, and breakthroughs in interplanetary communications.