China's Shenlong Spaceplane Releases Mystery Object | KeepTrack Space Brief
China's Shenlong spaceplane released an unidentified object in orbit, drawing scrutiny amid U.S. Space Force Victus Haze RPO demonstrations. Tracking data critical.
ONEWEB-0172 (48071)
COSPAR: 2021-025AF | Alt Name: OneWeb SL0172
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 25, 2021
Launch Site
VOSTO
Launch Pad
PU1S
Launch Vehicle
Soyuz-2-1B
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
48071
International Designator
2021-025AF
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 10:51:20 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
87.90°
Right Ascension
316.98°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
103.48°
Period
109.63 min
Mean Motion
13.13 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ONEWEB-0172
Alternative Name
OneWeb SL0172
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
ONEWEBN
Country
United Kingdom
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 48071U 21025AF 26184.45232450 .00000109 00000-0 26423-3 0 9996
2 48071 87.8975 316.9830 0001996 103.4836 256.6516 13.13469479256647
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The ONEWEB-0172 satellite, also known as OneWeb SL0172, is a communication satellite launched by OneWeb on March 25, 2021, from the Vostochny Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-2-1B launch vehicle. The spacecraft measures 1.3 meters in length and has a diameter of 1 meter with a span of 5 meters. It is equipped with a Ku-Band payload and solar arrays for power, along with batteries. The satellite operates on an Arrow bus configuration manufactured by ONEWUS in the UK, featuring SPT-50 or BHT-350 Hall effect thrusters for propulsion. With a dry mass of 140 kilograms and a launch mass of 148 kilograms, it has an expected operational lifetime of seven years.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.3
Diameter
1
Span
5
Dry Mass
140
Launch Mass
148
Shape
Trapezoid+2 pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
OneWeb L5-015
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
ONEWUS
Life Expectancy
+ 7 years
Bus
ARROW
Configuration
Arrow bus
Motor
SPT-50 or BHT-350 Hall effect thrusters
Equipment
Ku-Band payload
Power System
solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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