Space Brief 23 Apr 2025
Today's brief highlights the US Space Force's new space conflict doctrine, Ukraine's search for Starlink alternatives, and updates on regional military activities affecting space dynamics.
Launch Date
April 14, 2018
Launch Site
Launch Pad
SLC41
Launch Vehicle
Atlas V 551
NORAD ID
43446
International Designator
2018-036F
Epoch
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 01:37:41 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
7.15°
Right Ascension
66.75°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
165.92°
Period
1410.07 min
Mean Motion
1.02 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
USA 286
Alternative Name
USA 286
Type
Status
Owner
AFRL
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 43446U 18036F 26183.06784586 -.00000180 00000-0 00000-0 0 9993
2 43446 7.1482 66.7455 0010519 165.9237 352.0955 1.02122725 27074
Source: Celestrak
Length
0.7
Diameter
0.6
Span
0.6
Dry Mass
80
Launch Mass
100
Shape
Box
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
ESPASat 2
Purpose
Technology
Mission
Technology
Manufacturer
OATK/HARR
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
ESPASat
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Deployable solar array, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Today's brief highlights the US Space Force's new space conflict doctrine, Ukraine's search for Starlink alternatives, and updates on regional military activities affecting space dynamics.
Today's key topics include the halting of the U.S. Air Force's rocket landing pad plans, the Space Force's shift to a flexible satellite strategy, delays in Australia's Eris 1 rocket launch, and the controversial cut of satellite sea-ice data to climate scientists.
SpaceX faces a series of challenges with scrubbing the Starship Flight 8 launch and losing a Falcon 9 booster post-landing, while successfully deploying new Starlink satellites.
Iran launches drones and missiles at UAE and Saudi targets. Space Force opens secretive tracking data to commercial firms. Falcon 9 breakup linked to lithium pollution in upper atmosphere.
Cassini's Titan T-115 encounter marked the moment the spacecraft stopped looking down and started looking sideways, trading one type of science for another as it entered the final chapter of an iconic mission.
Today's brief covers defense industry dynamics, advancements in quantum sensor technology, and geopolitical challenges impacting military space operations.
York Space raises $629M in IPO to expand satellite manufacturing. NRO declassifies Cold War-era JUMPSEAT spy satellites. Lockheed to boost THAAD interceptor production from 96 to 400 per year.
SpaceX made significant strides in satellite deployment with successful launches of 27 and 29 Starlink satellites, marking both a milestone in landings and ongoing expansion of the Starlink constellation.