Space Brief 31 Jul 2025
Today's Space Brief brings updates on the U.S. Space Force's upcoming missions, in-space technology strategies, the challenges faced by new launchers, and advancements in satellite communication.
USA 254 (40100)
COSPAR: 2014-043B | Alt Name: USA 254
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
July 28, 2014
Launch Site
Launch Pad
SLC37B
Launch Vehicle
Delta 4M+(4,2)
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
40100
International Designator
2014-043B
Epoch
Wed, 01 Jul 2026 11:14:55 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
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Inclination
4.75°
Right Ascension
75.98°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
290.27°
Period
1452.67 min
Mean Motion
0.99 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
USA 254
Alternative Name
USA 254
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
AFSPC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 40100U 14043B 26182.46870154 -.00000060 00000-0 00000+0 0 9997
2 40100 4.7527 75.9809 0001633 290.2695 178.8098 0.99127695 27712
Source: Celestrak
Summary
USA 254, also known by its OBJECT_ID 2014-043B, is a GeoStar-1 configuration satellite launched on July 28, 2014, from the AFAETR launch site using a Delta 4M+(4,2) launch vehicle. It was manufactured by OSCD and has a dry mass of 500 kilograms with dimensions of 2 meters in length and diameter, and spans 5 meters. The satellite's primary mission is space surveillance, powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. USA 254 became stable on July 29, 2014, and has an expected lifetime of six years. It operates under the ownership of AFSPC with a payload named Hornet 2. The satellite's shape is described as a box with two panels.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2
Diameter
2
Span
5
Dry Mass
500
Launch Mass
500
Shape
Box + 2 pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Hornet 2
Purpose
Space surveillance
Mission
Space surveillance
Manufacturer
OSCD
Life Expectancy
6 years
Bus
GeoStar-1
Configuration
GeoStar-1
Motor
AOCS
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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