Space Brief 21 Jun 2025
Today's brief highlights a Pentagon satellite network challenge, the expanding use of AI in military strategy, and advancements in commercial launch vehicle production.
Launch Date
September 3, 1970
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC10W
Launch Vehicle
Thor Burner 2
NORAD ID
04513
International Designator
1970-070B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:39:50 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
98.97°
Right Ascension
157.18°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
178.71°
Period
100.36 min
Mean Motion
14.35 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Name
THOR BURNER 2 R/B
Alternative Name
Burner II No. 13
Type
Status
Owner
SAMSO
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 04513U 70070B 26185.19433987 .00000218 00000-0 91308-4 0 9999
2 04513 98.9691 157.1821 0065651 178.7062 181.4303 14.34814738911998
Source: Celestrak
Length
1.7
Diameter
1.6
Span
1.7
Dry Mass
154
Launch Mass
154
Shape
Frust
Radar Cross Section
1.7169
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Star 37B
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
THKE
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Star 37
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Today's brief highlights a Pentagon satellite network challenge, the expanding use of AI in military strategy, and advancements in commercial launch vehicle production.
Today's briefing covers Blue Origin's certification progress, a near-miss between a Chinese spacecraft and a Starlink satellite, SpaceX's latest Starlink launch and booster landing, potential IPO news from SpaceX, and advancements in Starlink integration with Tesla vehicles.
Today's brief covers a record-breaking Starlink launch, FCC's allocation of additional spectrum for launches, and more. Plus, explore the intricacies of satellite Rassvet-2 No. 1 in our Satellite Spotlight.
Today's briefing covers Chinese satellite launches, military defense strategies in space, increasing launch activity at the Space Coast, and potential rivals to SpaceX's Starlink.
Focusing on military satellite initiatives, defense strategies, and advancements in air and cyber capabilities
SpaceX successfully launched 28 Starlink satellites while preparing for the upcoming Ax-4 mission to the ISS. Significant progress continues in their ongoing space endeavors.
Sixty years ago, a pioneering spacecraft called Ranger 8 captured thousands of detailed photographs of the lunar surface before intentionally crashing into the Moon, helping pave the way for humanity's first steps on another world
Today's brief covers the expansion of the U.S. missile defense shield, a new contract for Viasat from the U.S. Space Force, and the Missile Defense Agency's call for innovative Iron Dome concepts.