Space Brief 2 Apr 2025
DARPA's accidental SpaceX detection highlights Earth as a natural sensor, while SpaceX's Fram2 launches into a polar orbit. Helsinki's defense budget rise hints at increased military satellite activity.
Launch Date
October 24, 2020
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
NORAD ID
46797
International Designator
2020-074BL
Decay Date
4/30/2022
Name
STARLINK-1947
Alternative Name
Starlink 1947
Type
Status
Owner
SPXS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
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-L14-57
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.
DARPA's accidental SpaceX detection highlights Earth as a natural sensor, while SpaceX's Fram2 launches into a polar orbit. Helsinki's defense budget rise hints at increased military satellite activity.
Key topics today include the US Space Force's new international strategy, China's partnership with Pakistan for astronaut training, and conservation concerns over SpaceX landing proposals.
SpaceX prepares for the launch of significant NASA and NOAA missions, while Starship's 11th test flight edges closer.
Artemis 2 astronauts arrive at KSC for April 1 launch. Four-person crew will fly lunar free-return trajectory, first crewed lunar mission since Apollo 17 in 1972.
Trump's interim Air Force One—a $400M Boeing 747-8—equipped with Starlink for presidential communications. First confirmed LEO constellation use for White House comms.
SpaceX launched 25 more Starlink satellites from Vandenberg SFB on March 8, 2026, pushing the active constellation toward 9,914 working spacecraft.
Discover the latest on China's Zhuque-3 launch, ISS crew updates, ESA's budget dealings, a strategic super-resolution partnership, and ACME Space's innovative plans.
Space debris poses a mounting threat to both satellites and space missions. As we send more objects into orbit, the likelihood of collisions and subsequent breakups producing dangerous space debris increases. Recognizing the major events that have generated this dangerous space junk is pivotal in ensuring the safety of future space missions.