Space Brief 26 Mar 2025
Today's briefing covers the US Space Force's pivotal journeys, emerging hypersonic weaponry, and innovative drone technologies, with a special satellite update featuring Jackal X-1L-001.
NORAD ID
43482
International Designator
2018-047G
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:34:11 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
86.45°
Right Ascension
81.27°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
83.67°
Period
99.77 min
Mean Motion
14.43 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Name
IRIDIUM 162
Alternative Name
Iridium Next SV162
Type
Status
Owner
IRIDS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 43482U 18047G 26185.14874629 .00000361 00000-0 10134-3 0 9996
2 43482 86.4472 81.2699 0002259 83.6653 276.4805 14.43280751427570
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 SV162
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 briefing covers the US Space Force's pivotal journeys, emerging hypersonic weaponry, and innovative drone technologies, with a special satellite update featuring Jackal X-1L-001.
SpaceX achieves new milestones with Starlink launches, and Elon Musk's influence is a point of discussion. Telesat makes strides amid Starlink's growing dominance.
SpaceX prepares for a historic Falcon 9 landing attempt in The Bahamas, while also contributing to FAA air traffic control modernization.
SpaceX and Amazon Are Playing for Keeps to Control Satellite Broadband and Connect the World. But Is There Room for Both in the Orbit?
SpaceX scrubbed Starship Flight 12's V3 debut due to a hydraulic pin fault, then filed an $18.7B IPO S-1 targeting Nasdaq under ticker SPCX.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 delivered Northrop Grumman's second Cygnus XL — carrying over 5 tons of cargo — to the ISS on April 11, 2026.
Today's brief explores rising investments in space with defense ties, potential Space Force-NRO coordination, and more, offering insight into current military and defense satellite dynamics.
Today's updates focus on significant developments in U.S. national security space launches, Army space training, potential shifts in satellite procurement strategies, and the Meteor 2-21 satellite.