Space Brief 28 Dec 2025
Exploring the future of space with concerns on space debris, rapid growth in orbital data centers, and new developments at launch sites.
DEMO8 (TENZING) (48951)
COSPAR: 2021-059CA | Alt Name: Tanker-001 Tenzing
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
June 30, 2021
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
48951
International Designator
2021-059CA
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 23:15:43 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
97.70°
Right Ascension
19.67°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
282.06°
Period
92.57 min
Mean Motion
15.56 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
DEMO8 (TENZING)
Alternative Name
Tanker-001 Tenzing
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
ADIG/OFAB
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 48951U 21059CA 26184.96925690 .00025065 00000-0 36596-3 0 9991
2 48951 97.7016 19.6728 0005342 282.0561 78.0093 15.55641991279911
Source: Celestrak
Summary
DEMO8 (TENZING), also known as Tanker-001 Tenzing, is a US satellite based on the Corvus-XL bus and configured in the Corvus-Micro design. It was launched on June 30, 2021, from LC40 at AFETR using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The spacecraft has dimensions of 0.5 meters for length, diameter, and span, with a dry mass and launch mass both equal to 35 kilograms. It is powered by solar cells and batteries. The mission purpose is technology demonstration, and it features two TILE motors as propulsion. MANUFACTURER ADIG owns the satellite in collaboration with OFAB. Its operational lifetime is projected for 5 years.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.5
Diameter
0.5
Span
0.5
Dry Mass
35
Launch Mass
35
Shape
Box + pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Astro Digital Demo 8
Purpose
Technology
Mission
Technology
Manufacturer
ADIG
Life Expectancy
5 years
Bus
Corvus-XL
Configuration
Corvus-Micro
Motor
2 x TILE
Equipment
Unknown
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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