Space Brief 9 Aug 2025
Today's briefing covers SpaceX's latest Starlink launch, Rocket Lab's upcoming Neutron rocket launch, NASA's lunar nuclear reactor project, and more.
LANDSAT 9 (49260)
COSPAR: 2021-088A | Alt Name: Landsat 9
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
September 27, 2021
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC3E
Launch Vehicle
Atlas V 401
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
49260
International Designator
2021-088A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:47:31 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
98.23°
Right Ascension
255.13°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
88.76°
Period
98.83 min
Mean Motion
14.57 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
LANDSAT 9
Alternative Name
Landsat 9
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
USGS/GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 49260U 21088A 26185.15799817 .00000410 00000-0 10118-3 0 9998
2 49260 98.2274 255.1296 0001162 88.7566 271.3765 14.57109297253472
Source: Celestrak
Summary
LANDSAT 9 is an Earth observation satellite with the NORAD catalog ID of 49260 and OBJECT_ID 2021-088A, operated by USGS/GSFC under the LEOStar-3 bus configuration. Launched on September 27, 2021, from AFWTR SLC3E using an Atlas V 401 launch vehicle, it has a design lifetime of 5 years with plans for a 7-year mission. The satellite's dimensions are 5.8 meters in length, 2.5 meters in diameter, and its span is 13 meters. Equipped with OLI (#8), OLI-2 (#9), and TIRS equipment, LANDSAT 9 weighs 2710 kg at launch and has a dry mass of 2390 kg. It uses deployable solar arrays and batteries for power. Its shape is described as cylindrical with hexagonal panels.
Physical Characteristics
Length
5.8
Diameter
2.5
Span
13
Dry Mass
2390
Launch Mass
2710
Shape
Cyl hex + pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Landsat 9
Purpose
Earth observation
Mission
Earth observation
Manufacturer
NGISGA
Life Expectancy
5 years (design), 7 years (planned)
Bus
Leostar-3
Configuration
SA-200HP / LEOStar-3
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
OLI (#8), OLI-2 (#9), TIRS
Power System
Deployable solar array, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Space Brief 17 Sep 2025
Highlights include China's recent satellite launch, advancements in nuclear propulsion, non-kinetic tech developments for maritime defense, SpaceX's direct-to-device spectrum tests, and maneuvering satellites for Space Force missions.
Space Brief 8 Jun 2025
A busy day in space as delays hit Boeing's Starliner launch, SpaceX continues its rapid launch cadence, new concerns arise with the discovery of bacteria on the Tiangong space station, and the European Space Agency supports a pivotal Moon mission.
X Report 18 Jul 2025
Elon Musk provided updates on the anticipated Starship Flight 10, along with insights on SpaceX's progress at Cape Canaveral. Key developments include target timelines for upcoming launches and ongoing efforts in Starship's development.
Space Force Awards $437M to Viasat, SES for Military Satcom | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force contracts Viasat and SES for $437M Protected Tactical Satcom-Global program. Four new GEO satellites replace vulnerable single-satellite systems.
Space Brief 5 Oct 2025
Today's brief covers significant advancements in national security space launches, ongoing rocket developments, and critical updates from the space industry.
X Report 1 Sep 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 28 Starlink satellites from Florida, continuing its momentum in expanding global internet coverage.
Falcon Heavy Returns After 18-Month Hiatus, Lofts ViaSat-3 F3 | KeepTrack X Report
Falcon Heavy completed its 12th flight ever on April 29, ending an 18-month stand-down by lofting the 6-ton ViaSat-3 F3 comsat to GTO.