Space Brief 3 Jul 2025
Today's coverage includes the cancellation of DARPA's DRACO nuclear propulsion project, global shifts in Earth observation strategy, and new developments in satellite technology and military collaborations.
Launch Date
December 2, 2021
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
NORAD ID
49743
International Designator
2021-115V
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 08:00:03 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
53.17°
Right Ascension
343.77°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
81.52°
Period
94.02 min
Mean Motion
15.32 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
STARLINK-3239
Alternative Name
Starlink 3239
Type
Status
Owner
SPXS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 49743U 21115V 26185.33336806 .00050294 00000-0 16232-2 0 9997
2 49743 53.1663 343.7663 0000920 81.5178 334.2490 15.31668844 5776
Source: Celestrak
Length
0.2
Diameter
2.8
Span
9
Dry Mass
270
Launch Mass
290
Shape
Box + pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Starlink Group 4-3-20
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
SPXS
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Starlink
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Krypton ion thrusters
Equipment
Ku/Ka-band payload, optical inter-satellite link
Power System
Solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
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