Air Force One Gets Starlink, Astrobotic Acquired | KeepTrack Space Brief
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.
KEPLER-14 (STELLA) (47526)
COSPAR: 2021-006DS | Alt Name: Stella
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
January 24, 2021
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
47526
International Designator
2021-006DS
Decay Date
12/19/2024
Basic Satellite Info
Name
KEPLER-14 (STELLA)
Alternative Name
Stella
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
KEPLER
Country
Canada
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
The KEPLER-14 (STELLA) satellite, designated OBJECT_ID 2021-006DS and NORAD_CAT_ID 47526, is a 6U CubeSat manufactured by KEPLER/UTIAS for Canada. Launched on January 24, 2021, from the Air Force Eastern Test Range LC40 aboard a Falcon 9 launch vehicle, it has dimensions of 0.3 meters in length and 0.2 meters in diameter with a span of 0.7 meters. The satellite's dry mass is 15 kg, matching its launch mass. Its mission focuses on Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) communications, equipped with Software Defined Radio (SDR) and narrowband communications payload. Power is supplied by solar cells and batteries. The satellite has a box-shaped body with two panels for additional equipment or solar arrays.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.3
Diameter
0.2
Span
0.7
Dry Mass
15
Launch Mass
15
Shape
Box + 2 pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Kepler-14
Purpose
Communication M2M/IoT
Mission
Communication M2M/IoT
Manufacturer
KEPLER/UTIAS
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Cubesat 6U
Configuration
CubeSat (6UXL)
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
SDR, narrowband communications payload
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
X Report 4 Feb 2025
Canada reconsiders Starlink contract amidst US tariff delays, and new concerns arise over falling space debris.
Space Force Eyes Asteroid Mining, Clashes With Congress on R-GPS | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force sees strategic value in asteroid mining. Congress pushes back on R-GPS phase-out over jamming risks. BlackSky expands Gen 3 defense contracts.
Space Brief 30 Jul 2025
Today's highlights include Space Force's new satcom design contracts, advances in AI training tools, Pentagon drone policy shifts, and the first Eris launch's failure.
Track the International Space Station
A look at how tracking the space station offers a unique view of space exploration.
X Report 30 May 2025
SpaceX embarks on another milestone as it prepares to launch an advanced GPS satellite for the U.S. Space Force today, aiming for a record 170 launches this year.
X Report 2 Mar 2025
Starship receives FAA approval for its next test flight, while SpaceX prepares to launch more Starlink satellites amidst reaching 5 million subscribers.
Space Brief 14 Dec 2025
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.