X Report 29 Aug 2025
SpaceX celebrates a record-breaking Falcon 9 launch while Starship demonstrates strong performance in its recent test flight, fueling excitement for upcoming projects.
BEIDOU-3 M15 (43648)
COSPAR: 2018-078B | Alt Name: Beidou DW 39
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 15, 2018
Launch Site
XICLF
Launch Pad
LC3
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 3B/YZ-1
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
43648
International Designator
2018-078B
Epoch
Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:51:23 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
54.07°
Right Ascension
299.54°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
58.07°
Period
773.23 min
Mean Motion
1.86 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
BEIDOU-3 M15
Alternative Name
Beidou DW 39
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
CNSA
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 43648U 18078B 26181.03569112 -.00000071 00000-0 00000-0 0 9993
2 43648 54.0730 299.5360 0003881 58.0730 301.9745 1.86232575 52413
Source: Celestrak
Summary
BEIDOU-3 M15, also known as Beidou DW 39, is a satellite operated by CNSA (China National Space Administration) for navigation purposes. Launched on October 15, 2018, from Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XICLF), LC3, using the Chang Zheng 3B/YZ-1 launch vehicle, it has a configuration shaped as a Box with two panels and measures 2.2 meters in length and 1.7 meters in diameter with a span of 10 meters. The satellite's dry mass is 850 kilograms, and its launch mass was 1014 kilograms. It features two deployable solar arrays along with batteries for power generation. Designed by SECM (Space Engineering Corporation of China), the mission lifetime is planned to be 12 years.
Physical Characteristics
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
Technical Details
Payload
Beidou-3 M15
Purpose
Navigation
Mission
Navigation
Manufacturer
SECM
Life Expectancy
12 years
Bus
BD-3M/SAR
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
?
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Today in Space History 2025
From Apollo's darkest days to humanity's first transmission from Venus, we spent 2025 remembering the missions that made modern spaceflight possible. Here's what we covered - and why we're committed to keeping this series going.
X Report 2 Apr 2025
SpaceX's Fram2 mission marks a historic first in polar orbit travel, while DARPA unexpectedly detects Falcon 9 reentry using atmospheric listening.
Musk Pivots SpaceX Focus to Moon Settlement Before Mars | KeepTrack X Report
Elon Musk shifts SpaceX's priority to lunar settlement before Mars colonization. Crew-12 launch delayed by weather to Feb 12. SpaceX partners with Hexagon Purus for manufacturing.
X Report 16 Nov 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 29 Starlink satellites on November 14, marking the first of two rapid-fire Falcon 9 missions from Florida's Space Coast in under four hours.
Boeing Starliner Grounded Until Mid-2027, NASA Warns | KeepTrack Space Brief
Boeing CST-100 Starliner faces up to one year delay before return-to-flight. NASA safety panel cites unresolved technical problems since mid-2024 crewed test.
SpaceX Launches Twilight Rideshare With 40 Payloads Including NASA Pandora | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX launches Twilight rideshare from Vandenberg carrying ~40 payloads including NASA's Pandora satellite. Kepler debuts 10 optical data relay satellites. OroraTech thermal sensors integrated.
Space Brief 16 Jan 2025
Explore today's pivotal news in space with highlights on record government space budgets, military satellite developments, and significant industry shifts.