X Report 22 Aug 2025
SpaceX successfully launched the U.S. Space Force's eighth X-37B spaceplane mission while preparing for an upcoming Starship launch. Meanwhile, the company continues to expand its Starlink satellite constellation.
Launch Date
January 19, 2019
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC6
Launch Vehicle
Delta 4H
NORAD ID
43941
International Designator
2019-004A
Decay Date
Unknown
Name
USA 290
Alternative Name
USA 290
Type
Status
Owner
NROC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Length
10
Diameter
3.1
Span
10
Dry Mass
15500
Launch Mass
20000
Shape
Cyl + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
CRYSTAL Block 5 F1
Purpose
Reconnaissance, electro-optical
Mission
Reconnaissance, electro-optical
Manufacturer
LMSS/NGAS
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
IC
Configuration
Bus-1
Motor
Bus-1
Equipment
?
Power System
Deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
SpaceX successfully launched the U.S. Space Force's eighth X-37B spaceplane mission while preparing for an upcoming Starship launch. Meanwhile, the company continues to expand its Starlink satellite constellation.
Explore today's key space events including a SpaceX Starlink launch, Neuraspace's new telescope for space traffic monitoring, and Globalstar's defense-focused satellite service debut.
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FCC approves 7,500 additional Starlink Gen2 satellites. Space Force awards SpaceX $739M for nine national security launches. NASA plans Crew-11 medical evacuation from ISS on January 14.
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