Space Brief 1 Feb 2025
Today's brief covers advances in satellite docking technology, challenges faced by space companies with government navigation, and China's leap in space autonomy through AI developments.
MANDRAKE 2 ABLE (48907)
COSPAR: 2021-059AE | Alt Name: Mandrake 2A
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
June 30, 2021
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
48907
International Designator
2021-059AE
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 18:33:28 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
97.70°
Right Ascension
15.83°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
289.87°
Period
92.57 min
Mean Motion
15.56 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
MANDRAKE 2 ABLE
Alternative Name
Mandrake 2A
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
SDA/DARPA2
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 48907U 21059AE 26184.77324624 .00025445 00000-0 37142-3 0 9991
2 48907 97.7029 15.8292 0003468 289.8711 70.2168 15.55654830279709
Source: Celestrak
Summary
MANDRAKE 2 ABLE, also known as Mandrake 2A, is a technology satellite owned by SDA/DARPA2 and launched on June 30, 2021, from Launch Complex 40 at the Air Force Eastern Test Range (AFETR) using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The spacecraft has dimensions of 0.5 meters in length, diameter, and span with a dry mass of 23 kilograms. It is equipped with an optical inter-satellite link payload and uses solar cells and batteries for power. MANDRAKE 2 ABLE was manufactured by ADIG and its purpose is technology demonstration. The satellite has a box shape with a pan configuration but lacks information on lifetime, major events, or specific details regarding attitude control systems or material composition.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.5
Diameter
0.5
Span
0.5
Dry Mass
23
Launch Mass
23
Shape
Box + pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Mandrake 2A
Purpose
Technology
Mission
Technology
Manufacturer
ADIG
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Corvus-XL
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
optical inter-satellite link payload
Power System
Solar cells, 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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