Space Brief 21 Oct 2025
Today's brief covers the latest in satellite technology contracts, China's rocket launch ambitions, and new launch authorizations paving the way for space exploration advancements.
ONEWEB-0223 (48768)
COSPAR: 2021-045B | Alt Name: OneWeb SL0223
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
May 28, 2021
Launch Site
VOSTO
Launch Pad
PU1S
Launch Vehicle
Soyuz-2-1B
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
48768
International Designator
2021-045B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:41:49 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
87.90°
Right Ascension
255.81°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
111.12°
Period
109.46 min
Mean Motion
13.16 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ONEWEB-0223
Alternative Name
OneWeb SL0223
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
ONEWEBN
Country
United Kingdom
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 48768U 21045B 26185.15405009 .00000005 00000-0 -19499-4 0 9993
2 48768 87.9002 255.8115 0002091 111.1242 249.0112 13.15547868246630
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The ONEWEB-0223 satellite, also known as OneWeb SL0223, is operated by ONEWEBN and was launched on May 28, 2021, from the VOSTO launch site using a Soyuz-2-1B launch vehicle. The spacecraft has dimensions of 1.3 meters in length, 1 meter in diameter, and spans 5 meters with its solar arrays. It utilizes an Arrow bus configuration manufactured by ONEWUS and is equipped with a Ku-Band payload for communication purposes. With a dry mass of 140 kilograms and launch mass of 148 kilograms, it is powered by solar arrays and batteries. The satellite's propulsion system consists of SPT-50 or BHT-350 Hall effect thrusters. Its mission focuses on communication services with 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 L7-002
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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