Space Brief 19 May 2025
Today's space brief covers new ultraviolet data from the Europa Clipper, challenges in managing space debris, quantum advances in satellite technology, as well as a failed Indian satellite launch and more.
Launch Date
October 13, 2006
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA3
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 5ECA
NORAD ID
29495
International Designator
2006-043B
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 21:30:06 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
3.08°
Right Ascension
79.46°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
19.00°
Period
1436.08 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
OPTUS D1
Alternative Name
Optus D1
Type
Status
Owner
OPTS
Country
Australia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 29495U 06043B 26184.89591127 -.00000173 00000-0 00000-0 0 9997
2 29495 3.0750 79.4598 0003719 19.0025 297.9475 1.00272734 72283
Source: Celestrak
Length
4
Diameter
2.3
Span
17
Dry Mass
1005
Launch Mass
2299
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
3.9811
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Optus D1
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
OSCD
Life Expectancy
15 years
Bus
OSC Star 2.4
Configuration
Star-2.4 Bus
Motor
BT-4
Equipment
24 (+8) Ku-band transponders
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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