Falcon 9 Lofts 5-Ton Cygnus XL to ISS | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX's Falcon 9 delivered Northrop Grumman's second Cygnus XL — carrying over 5 tons of cargo — to the ISS on April 11, 2026.
LCROSS (35316)
COSPAR: 2009-031B | Alt Name: LCROSS Shepherding S/C
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
June 18, 2009
Launch Site
Launch Pad
SLC41
Launch Vehicle
Atlas V 401
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
35316
International Designator
2009-031B
Decay Date
10/9/2009
Basic Satellite Info
Name
LCROSS
Alternative Name
LCROSS Shepherding S/C
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
ARC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
The LCROSS (Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite) satellite, also known as the LCROSS Shepherding S/C, was launched on June 18, 2009, from the Air Force Eastern Test Range (AFETR), Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC41), using an Atlas V 401 launch vehicle. The spacecraft has a length of 2 meters, a diameter of 2.6 meters, and a span of 3.3 meters. It was manufactured by Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems (NGAS) for the NASA Ames Research Center (ARC). Its mission was focused on lunar impact to study the moon's composition. The satellite has a dry mass of 585 kilograms and had a launch mass of 891 kilograms, powered by solar cells and batteries. It is shaped as a cylinder with antennas attached.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2
Diameter
2.6
Span
3.3
Dry Mass
585
Launch Mass
891
Shape
Cyl + Ant
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
S-S/C
Purpose
Lunar Impact
Mission
Lunar Impact
Manufacturer
NGAS
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
ESPA/EagleSat
Configuration
Eagle-0 (ESPA-Sat) (S-S/S); Upper stage (EDUS)
Motor
AOCS
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
X Report 28 Dec 2024
SpaceX wraps up a stellar year with Starship achievements and prepares for a lunar triple-shot in 2025.
X Report 13 Dec 2024
SpaceX ramps up Starship preparations in Florida while California prepares for another Starlink launch.
Army Recruiting 1,000 Space Specialists Alongside Space Force | KeepTrack Space Brief
Army launches space career field seeking 1,000 new specialists. HASC chair Rogers eyes $1.5T defense budget. Army and Marines share fire mission data via JADC2.
Space Brief 30 Jan 2025
Today's Space Brief covers key developments including U.S. Space Force tech accelerator, SpaceX veterans' startup funding, ULA's expected dominance in national security missions, and new satellite activity.
Space Brief 31 Aug 2025
SpaceX makes headlines with dual Starlink launches, Rocket Lab inaugurates new launch complex, while AI's impact on space missions and satellite technology continues to stir discussions.
Space Brief 15 Nov 2025
Today's highlights include recent missile deals impacting military satellite launches, a Navy salvage operation in the South China Sea, and defense updates from the Manama Dialogue 2025.
Space Force Cancels OCX GPS Ground System, Space Brief 21 Apr 2026
Space Force cancels the OCX GPS ground system after RTX failures and stands up a cislunar task force. SpaceX launches the 10th and final GPS III.