Saltzman's Final Warning: Space Force Preps for War | KeepTrack Space Brief
Gen. Chance Saltzman warns of impending space conflict as SpaceX launches 21 SDA satellites from Vandenberg. Space Force shifts from support role to core deterrent.
Launch Date
February 17, 2020
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
NORAD ID
45235
International Designator
2020-012BK
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 01:56:05 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
53.15°
Right Ascension
216.45°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
347.62°
Period
93.66 min
Mean Motion
15.37 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Name
STARLINK-1246
Alternative Name
Starlink 1246
Type
Status
Owner
SPXS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 45235U 20012BK 26185.08061893 .00058502 00000-0 15675-2 0 9997
2 45235 53.1535 216.4479 0004721 347.6220 12.4667 15.37457958352824
Source: Celestrak
Length
0.2
Diameter
2.8
Span
9
Dry Mass
248
Launch Mass
260
Shape
Box + pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Starlink V1.0-L4-58
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
SPXS
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Starlink
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Krypton ion thrusters
Equipment
Ku/Ka-band payload (all), optical inter-satellite links (a few prototypes)
Power System
Solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Gen. Chance Saltzman warns of impending space conflict as SpaceX launches 21 SDA satellites from Vandenberg. Space Force shifts from support role to core deterrent.
SpaceX wraps up the year with significant launches, including a record-setting Astranis deployment and Starlink missions signaling the year's end.
Today's highlights include China's latest satellite launches, Blue Origin's expansion plans, and Purdue University's groundbreaking suborbital mission with Virgin Galactic.
Current number of Starlink satellites in orbit April 2026: 10,168 working of 10,177 tracked, 11,724 launched. Fleet health tops 99.9%.
SpaceX achieves a significant milestone with its 250th Starlink mission, and Starlink eyes expansion into South Korea amid rising global demand for satellite internet. Meanwhile, Amazon's Project Kuiper launches its first operational mission, marking increased competition for Starlink.
Today's brief covers SpaceX's latest Starlink launch, fascinating exoplanet discoveries, and strategic lunar developments by China and South Korea.
SpaceX's secretive Starfall reentry demo launched June 23 as Starmind AI constellation targets 1M orbital compute nodes.
Today's brief covers secret Space Force payloads monitoring China's satellites, collaborations reducing satellite tracking delays, and new AI projects for military operations.