Space Brief 13 Feb 2025
Today's brief covers significant advancements in space satellite launches, military spending impacts on space, and notable developments from the Space Force and SpaceX.
Launch Date
December 19, 2014
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC175/59
Launch Vehicle
Strela
NORAD ID
40353
International Designator
2014-084A
Decay Date
10/22/2022
Name
KONDOR-E
Alternative Name
Kondor-E
Type
Status
Owner
SANDF
Country
South Africa
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Length
2.5
Diameter
0.8
Span
5
Dry Mass
1150
Launch Mass
1150
Shape
Box+2 pan+dish
Radar Cross Section
9.9039
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Kondor-E No. 0004
Purpose
Earth observation, radar
Mission
Earth observation, radar
Manufacturer
NPOMAO
Life Expectancy
5 years
Bus
Kondor
Configuration
Kondor-E bus
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
S-band SAR
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Today's brief covers significant advancements in space satellite launches, military spending impacts on space, and notable developments from the Space Force and SpaceX.
SpaceX faces setbacks with Starship Flight 7 as FAA launches an investigation, while future transportation policies might impact SpaceX operations. Meanwhile, the Starlink constellation continues strong.
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.
Hanwha Systems in talks with MDA Space and Telesat for South Korean defense satellite constellation. SpaceX preps GPS satellite launch for Space Force. Seismic networks now track space junk reentry.
Today's recap covers SpaceX's role in record launch numbers, the FCC's spectrum allocation for launches, and the historical portrayal of the Ingenuity helicopter.
SpaceX achieves a significant milestone with over 10,000 satellites launched, the West Coast welcomes Falcon Heavy launches, and developments around Artemis 3 prompt competitive discourse.
SpaceX sets a new reuse record with Falcon 9's 27th flight, continuing its Starlink deployment while facing challenges with Starship development.
Today's highlights include Japan's new military satellite imagery initiative, NASA's SPHEREx map, and AST BlueBird 6's groundbreaking cellular array in low Earth orbit.