Blue Origin's New Glenn Explodes During Ground Test | KeepTrack Space Brief
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket exploded during ground testing May 28, visible from hundreds of miles across Florida. Fireball halts vehicle pending failure investigation.
LIGHTSAIL 2 (44420)
COSPAR: 2019-036AC | Alt Name: LightSail-2
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
June 25, 2019
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC39A
Launch Vehicle
Falcon Heavy
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
44420
International Designator
2019-036AC
Decay Date
11/17/2022
Basic Satellite Info
Name
LIGHTSAIL 2
Alternative Name
LightSail-2
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
TPS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
LIGHTSAIL 2 is a CubeSat (3U) technology satellite operated by TPS, launched on June 25, 2019, from LC39A at the Kennedy Space Center using a Falcon Heavy launch vehicle. With dimensions of 0.3 meters in length and 0.1 meters in diameter, it has a span of 5.5 meters when its solar sail is deployed. The satellite weighs 4 kilograms both at launch and dry mass. Equipped with four deployable fixed solar arrays and batteries for power, LIGHTSAIL 2 was manufactured by STELEX and is designed to test the use of solar sails as propulsion in space. Its shape is described as a box with a sail attached. The mission became stable on July 2, 2019.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.3
Diameter
0.1
Span
5.5
Dry Mass
4
Launch Mass
4
Shape
Box+Sail
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
LightSail-B
Purpose
Technology
Mission
Technology
Manufacturer
STELEX
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Cubesat 3U
Configuration
CubeSat (3U)
Motor
None
Equipment
Solar sail
Power System
4 deployable fixed solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
The Day America Entered the Space Age
Sixty-seven years ago, a slender rocket carried America's first satellite into orbit, discovering a mysterious feature of our planet that would change our understanding of space forever
Space Brief 9 Nov 2025
Today's top stories include SpaceX's latest Starlink launch, Blue Origin's FAA exemption request, and major acquisitions by Intuitive Machines and Firefly Aerospace shaping the defense and space landscape.
Tesla-SpaceX 2027 Merger Predicted by Wall Street | KeepTrack X Report
Wall Street analyst Dan Ives predicts a Tesla-SpaceX merger by 2027, while a quantum magnetometer launches March 30 on Falcon 9 rideshare.
X Report 17 May 2025
SpaceX gains regulatory approval for a new Starship test flight, further expands its role in U.S. defense, and successfully launches 26 additional Starlink satellites. United Airlines also rolls out Starlink Wi-Fi on its flights.
X Report 9 Mar 2025
SpaceX reveals plans for Florida Starship launches, NASA teams up for dual missions, and FCC boosts satellite connectivity.
X Report 5 Aug 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 28 Starlink satellites while returning to form with Starship testing at Starbase. Meanwhile, preparations for upcoming launches are underway.
Demystifying the USSPACECOM Two-Line Element Set Format
Discover the history and significance of Two-Line Element Sets (TLEs) in satellite tracking. Dive into their components, applications, and how they are evolving to meet future space challenges.