X Report 18 Jun 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 28 Starlink satellites while preparing for the upcoming Ax-4 mission to the ISS. Significant progress continues in their ongoing space endeavors.
Launch Date
May 21, 2010
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA3
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 5ECA
NORAD ID
36581
International Designator
2010-021A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:26:39 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
1.51°
Right Ascension
83.35°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
16.00°
Period
1436.09 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Name
ASTRA 3B
Alternative Name
Astra 3B
Type
Status
Owner
SESSL
Country
United Kingdom
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 36581U 10021A 26185.22685071 .00000148 00000-0 00000-0 0 9993
2 36581 1.5128 83.3485 0004236 16.0029 288.0309 1.00271957 59035
Source: Celestrak
Length
4.5
Diameter
2.8
Span
39.8
Dry Mass
3000
Launch Mass
5471
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
8.168
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Astra 3B
Purpose
Communication (Direct Broadcasting)
Mission
Communication (Direct Broadcasting)
Manufacturer
EADSB
Life Expectancy
15 years
Bus
Eurostar 3000M
Configuration
Eurostar-3000
Motor
R-4D-15
Equipment
52 transponders Ku-Band and 4 Ka-Band transponders
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
SpaceX successfully launched 28 Starlink satellites while preparing for the upcoming Ax-4 mission to the ISS. Significant progress continues in their ongoing space endeavors.
Landsat 7 launched on April 15, 1999, designed to last five years. It operated for twenty-five, survived a failure that destroyed a fifth of every image it took, and became part of the longest continuous record of Earth's surface ever assembled. Then they made the data free.
SpaceX successfully completes a critical test flight of its Starship vehicle while gearing up for another Starlink satellite launch, showcasing significant advancements in their launch capabilities.
Today's Space Brief focuses on multi-billion dollar contracts for missile-tracking satellites, developments in optical nuclear clock research, and innovative drone projects for military collaboration.
SpaceX launches GPS satellite for Space Force — third consecutive GPS mission reassigned from ULA. Space Force nears selection of next-gen GEO spy satellite contractors. Northwood Space lands $49M deal.
Today's brief covers defense industry dynamics, advancements in quantum sensor technology, and geopolitical challenges impacting military space operations.
Today's brief covers the integration of commercial and military space capabilities, a notable change in Crew 12 mission, advancements in digital training for space operations, and more.
SpaceX wraps up a stellar year with Starship achievements and prepares for a lunar triple-shot in 2025.