Space Brief 8 Aug 2025
Today's brief highlights significant shifts in military space spending due to the Golden Dome program, the U.S. Space Force's advancements in tactical satellite communications, and NASA's race to nuclear power in space.
NORAD ID
43070
International Designator
2017-083A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:31:39 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
86.40°
Right Ascension
314.94°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
93.11°
Period
100.40 min
Mean Motion
14.34 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
IRIDIUM 135
Alternative Name
Iridium Next SV135
Type
Status
Owner
IRIDS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 43070U 17083A 26185.10531451 .00000093 00000-0 26178-4 0 9995
2 43070 86.3982 314.9425 0002183 93.1073 267.0373 14.34218111446577
Source: Celestrak
Length
3.1
Diameter
1.5
Span
9.4
Dry Mass
700
Launch Mass
860
Shape
Half Hex Prism+2 pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Iridium Next SV135
Purpose
Communication, traffic monitoring
Mission
Communication, traffic monitoring
Manufacturer
OATKGA
Life Expectancy
10 years (design), 15 years (planned)
Bus
EliteBus
Configuration
ELiTeBus-1000
Motor
?
Equipment
L-band payload, Ka-band cross-links, Ka-band downlinks, ADS-B payload, AIS-receiver (on 58 satellites)
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Today's brief highlights significant shifts in military space spending due to the Golden Dome program, the U.S. Space Force's advancements in tactical satellite communications, and NASA's race to nuclear power in space.
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