Space Brief 29 Aug 2025
Today's Space Brief highlights emerging technologies in space, a contract for U.S. Space Force missions, developments in military operations, and updates on drone advancements.
RAPIDEYE 1 (33314)
COSPAR: 2008-040C | Alt Name: Tachys
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 29, 2008
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC109/95
Launch Vehicle
Dnepr
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
33314
International Designator
2008-040C
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 01:13:57 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
97.41°
Right Ascension
212.29°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
120.10°
Period
95.78 min
Mean Motion
15.03 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
RAPIDEYE 1
Alternative Name
Tachys
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
REYE
Country
Germany
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 33314U 08040C 26185.05135895 .00001392 00000-0 10564-3 0 9998
2 33314 97.4085 212.2948 0028992 120.1046 240.3060 15.03449365968199
Source: Celestrak
Summary
RAPIDEYE 1, also known as Tachys, is an Earth observation satellite manufactured by SSTL and owned by REYE. Launched on August 29, 2008, from the TYMSC launch site using a Dnepr launch vehicle, it has dimensions of 1 meter in length, 0.8 meters in diameter, and spans 1 meter. It carries a CCD-based earth imaging system as its primary payload. The satellite has a dry mass of 140 kilograms and a launch mass of 152 kilograms. It operates on solar cells with battery backup for power supply and is designed to have a lifetime of approximately 7 years. Its shape is described as Heptagonal Cylindrical, and it has an RCS value of 0.4019.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1
Diameter
0.8
Span
1
Dry Mass
140
Launch Mass
152
Shape
Hept Cyl
Radar Cross Section
0.4019
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
RapidEye 1
Purpose
Earth observation
Mission
Earth observation
Manufacturer
SSTL
Life Expectancy
7 years
Bus
SSTL-150
Configuration
SSTL-150
Motor
?
Equipment
CCD-based earth imaging system
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Space Brief 5 Nov 2024
Today's highlights include SpaceX's Dragon cargo mission to the ISS, the first wooden satellite launch, and updates on NASA's Voyager mission. Additionally, the Space Force's X-37B space plane showcases unique aerobraking strategies.
Artemis 2 Targets April 1 Lunar Flyby with 4-Person Crew | KeepTrack Space Brief
NASA's Artemis 2 launches April 1 with Commander Reid Wiseman and 3 crew members for first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo 17 in 1972.
Artemis II Rolls Out to Pad 39B, China Hit by Dual Launch Failures | KeepTrack Space Brief
Artemis II SLS/Orion rolls to Launch Complex 39B for first crewed lunar mission since 1972. China suffers dual launch failures on the same day. SpainSat NG 2 declared total loss from debris strike.
Space Brief 15 Jan 2025
Focus on Varda's second mission launch, new U.S. Defense Department tool for satellite anomaly investigation, and a detailed Satellite Spotlight on CELESTIS 21/Varisat 1C.
Space Brief 2 Sep 2025
Today's brief covers key topics such as SpaceX's latest Starlink launch, the European Space Agency's new initiatives, and Space Force's integration of AI into its operations.
Voyager 1
In November 2023, Earth's most distant spacecraft started speaking gibberish. Five months, one dead memory chip, and 30 billion miles of round-trip troubleshooting later, engineers got it talking again - using code written before most of them were born.
X Report 9 Dec 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 29 Starlink satellites on the record-breaking 32nd flight of its Falcon 9 rocket. Elon Musk discusses a potential future as a Type II civilization, emphasizing the role of AI and satellite technology.