Space Brief 7 Oct 2025
Explore the latest in satellite communications with Cubic's new terminals, strategic acquisitions by Firefly, China's IoT satellite achievements, and key military updates.
NORAD ID
43773
International Designator
2018-099R
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:29:18 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
97.40°
Right Ascension
227.19°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
291.28°
Period
95.14 min
Mean Motion
15.14 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
RANGE-A
Alternative Name
RANGE A
Type
Status
Owner
GIT
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 43773U 18099R 26185.10369002 .00005453 00000-0 30761-3 0 9991
2 43773 97.3951 227.1885 0008479 291.2833 68.7493 15.13534858415054
Source: Celestrak
Length
0.2
Diameter
0.1
Span
0.2
Dry Mass
2
Launch Mass
2
Shape
Box+2 pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
RANGE A
Purpose
Technology
Mission
Technology
Manufacturer
GIT
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Cubesat 1.5U
Configuration
CubeSat (1.5U)
Motor
None
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Explore the latest in satellite communications with Cubic's new terminals, strategic acquisitions by Firefly, China's IoT satellite achievements, and key military updates.
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