Air Force One Gets Starlink, Astrobotic Acquired | KeepTrack Space Brief
Trump's interim Air Force One—a $400M Boeing 747-8—equipped with Starlink for presidential communications. First confirmed LEO constellation use for White House comms.
XW-2A (40903)
COSPAR: 2015-049E | Alt Name: XW-2A
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
September 19, 2015
Launch Site
TAISC
Launch Pad
LC16
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 6
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
40903
International Designator
2015-049E
Decay Date
4/22/2023
Basic Satellite Info
Name
XW-2A
Alternative Name
XW-2A
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
CAMSAT
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
The XW-2A satellite, also known as XW2A and designated by NORAD as 40903 under OBJECT_ID 2015-049E, was launched on September 19, 2015, from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (TAISC) using a Chang Zheng 6 launch vehicle. It is owned and manufactured by CAMSAT in China and has a box-shaped design with dimensions of 0.4 meters for length, diameter, and span. The satellite has a dry mass of 25 kg and was launched at the same weight. Its mission involves education, amateur radio communication, and technology demonstration. XW-2A is powered by solar cells complemented by batteries and has a radar cross-section (RCS) of 0.3161. The satellite carries the CAS-3A payload for its missions.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.4
Diameter
0.4
Span
0.4
Dry Mass
25
Launch Mass
25
Shape
Box
Radar Cross Section
0.3161
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
CAS-3A
Purpose
Education, amateur radio communication, technology
Mission
Education, amateur radio communication, technology
Manufacturer
CAMSAT
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
XW2A
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
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.
Who Owns the Most Satellites Orbiting Earth?
Uncover the top companies dominating the satellite industry. From SpaceX to One Web, learn who's leading in space assets. Full list inside.
Artemis 2 Crew Returns After 50-Year Lunar Flyby | KeepTrack Space Brief
Artemis 2 astronauts completed first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo 17, traveling 690,000 miles aboard Orion. Four crew validated deep-space systems.
NASA Pressures Blue Origin on HLS After New Glenn Explosion | KeepTrack Space Brief
NASA demands Blue Origin find alternate launcher for Artemis moon landers after New Glenn test explosion damaged Cape Canaveral LC-36. Schedule risk to lunar missions.
The Day America Sent Two Secrets to the Sky
Sixty-five years ago, America launched two very different space missions within hours of each other - one broadcast live to a fascinated nation, the other quietly reaching orbit from a fog-shrouded California launchpad while no one was watching
Space Brief 29 Mar 2025
Key military and technology developments in space; US Space Force and Army strategize national security with new rocket certifications and space training initiatives.
X Report 30 Nov 2024
SpaceX executes dual Starlink launches and secures Dragonfly mission contract while managing NRO satellite deployment.
X Report 17 Sep 2025
Today’s highlights include successful Falcon 9 launch for MECANO ID, ongoing Starship Block 3 development, and plans for direct-to-device testing next year.