Space Brief 16 Dec 2025
Today's briefing covers the Space Force's AI integration, new naming conventions for satellites, and updates on military and satellite acquisition strategies.
Launch Date
March 29, 2018
Launch Site
XICLF
Launch Pad
LC2
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 3B/YZ-1
NORAD ID
43246
International Designator
2018-029B
Epoch
Sun, 05 Jul 2026 03:20:59 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
54.17°
Right Ascension
299.35°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
34.92°
Period
773.24 min
Mean Motion
1.86 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
BEIDOU-3 M10
Alternative Name
Beidou DW 31
Type
Status
Owner
CNSA
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 43246U 18029B 26186.13958315 -.00000057 00000+0 00000+0 0 9998
2 43246 54.1743 299.3474 0003318 34.9189 325.1304 01.86229624 56214
Source: Celestrak
Length
2.2
Diameter
1.7
Span
10
Dry Mass
850
Launch Mass
1014
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Beidou-3 M10
Purpose
Navigation
Mission
Navigation
Manufacturer
SECM
Life Expectancy
12 years
Bus
BD-3M2
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
?
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Today's briefing covers the Space Force's AI integration, new naming conventions for satellites, and updates on military and satellite acquisition strategies.
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