Space Brief 22 Sep 2025
Today's edition highlights the operational deployment of HawkEye 360's Cluster 12, Shandong's record satellite launch, Planet Labs' latest imaging achievements, SpaceX's Starlink launches, and more.
Launch Date
February 17, 2007
Launch Site
Launch Pad
SLC17B
Launch Vehicle
Delta 7925-10C
NORAD ID
30580
International Designator
2007-004A
Epoch
Sun, 28 Jun 2026 20:14:59 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
8.52°
Right Ascension
108.74°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
201.46°
Period
1639.27 min
Mean Motion
0.88 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Name
THEMIS A
Alternative Name
THEMIS A
Type
Status
Owner
GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 30580U 07004A 26179.84374536 -.00000528 00000-0 -24643-3 0 9991
2 30580 8.5245 108.7424 8363876 201.4640 70.5505 0.87843945 41382
Source: Celestrak
Length
0.5
Diameter
0.8
Span
49.6
Dry Mass
76
Launch Mass
125
Shape
Box + 2 Ant
Radar Cross Section
0.3981
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
THEMIS P5
Purpose
Research
Mission
Research
Manufacturer
SWALES
Life Expectancy
2 years
Bus
ATK-A100
Configuration
SMEX-Lite Spacecraft
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
see above
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Today's edition highlights the operational deployment of HawkEye 360's Cluster 12, Shandong's record satellite launch, Planet Labs' latest imaging achievements, SpaceX's Starlink launches, and more.
MDA Space acquires Blue Canyon Technologies for $620 million, and NASA's 2028 Aeolus Mars orbiter goes to a California startup instead of SpaceX.
Today's Space Brief covers a significant signals intelligence launch, a record-breaking satellite deployment in China, a glimpse into the newest stealth drone, a potential delay for NASA's lunar lander, and more exciting updates from satellite world.
Exactly 62 years ago, Defense Secretary Robert McNamara ended the X-20 Dyna-Soar program, canceling one of the most ambitious spaceplane projects of the early Space Race - a vehicle that could have put aircraft in orbit decades before the Space Shuttle.
Today's space brief covers an impressive SpaceX launch record, China's upcoming crew mission to its space station, an Intelsat 33e debris observation, and more. Key topics include SpaceX's Starship events, ESA's Hera mission updates, and Boeing's potential space division sale.
Today's brief highlights the successful landing of a private moon mission by Firefly Aerospace, a new simulator for the Spanish Air and Space Force, and the anticipated launch by Europe's Ariane 6. Plus, our Satellite Spotlight features the COSMOS 2484.
Today’s highlights include new defense initiatives in the U.S., potential strategic shifts in Europe, and the establishment of council to counter security threats.
SpaceX announces SPHEREx launch date for February 2025, and Airbus completes delivery of Thuraya 4 satellite for upcoming launch.