Space Brief 12 Aug 2025
Today's brief covers a groundbreaking national security mission for ULA's Vulcan, NASA's collaboration with LeoLabs for enhanced collision avoidance, and SEOPS' new satellite tracking services, among other key developments.
Launch Date
May 27, 2016
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
NORAD ID
41552
International Designator
2016-031A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:59:43 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
0.06°
Right Ascension
32.35°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
37.82°
Period
1436.09 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Name
THAICOM 8
Alternative Name
Thaicom 8
Type
Status
Owner
THAIC
Country
Thailand
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 41552U 16031A 26185.16647714 -.00000109 00000-0 00000-0 0 9997
2 41552 0.0553 32.3549 0003541 37.8247 350.4327 1.00271996 36886
Source: Celestrak
Length
5
Diameter
2
Span
18
Dry Mass
2500
Launch Mass
3100
Shape
Box+ 2 pan
Radar Cross Section
8.0064
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Thaicom 8
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
OATKD
Life Expectancy
15 years
Bus
Star-2.3
Configuration
GeoStar-2.3 Bus
Motor
IHI BT-4
Equipment
24 Ku-band transponders
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Today's brief covers a groundbreaking national security mission for ULA's Vulcan, NASA's collaboration with LeoLabs for enhanced collision avoidance, and SEOPS' new satellite tracking services, among other key developments.
SpaceX secures $57 million military contract for Link-182 satellite crosslink demo supporting Golden Dome missile defense. Also joins software working group.
SpaceX successfully launched 23 Starlink satellites while facing delays in launching the Axiom Space mission due to a propellant leak. Additionally, new US broadband rules favor Starlink's expansion into rural markets.
ESA's Proba-3 spacecraft lost contact last month, grounding the dual-satellite solar eclipse mission. Formation flying between both craft is critical for coronagraph science.
SpaceX advances with Starship tests as Starlink continues global expansion. Key infrastructure updates from Cape Canaveral involve multiple industry players.
SpaceX targets May 19 for Starship V3's debut from Launch Pad 2, while the FCC approves a $2.4B EchoStar spectrum deal for Starlink.
U.S. Space Force's Europe operations amidst Ukraine conflict, Maxar's new partnership, integration of military and commercial tech, and the Pentagon's new AI initiatives shape today's space discourse.
Today's key topics include delays in Vulcan's national security launches, a significant network upgrade contract for the Space Force, and military interest in SpaceX's Starship.