Space Brief 26 Nov 2024
Today's headlines include new launch schedules, military industrial base challenges, and NASA's exploration of historic Cold War sites. Discover significant space events and satellite insights.
USA 325 (51281)
COSPAR: 2022-006B | Alt Name: USA 325
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
January 21, 2022
Launch Site
Launch Pad
SLC41
Launch Vehicle
Atlas V 511
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
51281
International Designator
2022-006B
Epoch
Wed, 07 Jan 2026 17:01:51 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
0.17°
Right Ascension
83.99°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
181.12°
Period
1436.17 min
Mean Motion
1.00 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
USA 325
Alternative Name
USA 325
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
USSF
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 51281U 22006B 26006.70962434 -.00000360 00000-0 00000+0 0 9995
2 51281 0.1656 83.9928 0022746 181.1199 218.2610 1.00266333 14512
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The USA 325 satellite, also known as GeoStar-1, was launched on January 21, 2022, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's SLC41 launch pad using the Atlas V 511 launch vehicle. This US-owned satellite is operated by the U.S. Space Force (USSF) for space surveillance purposes and has a mission lifetime of six years. The spacecraft measures 2 meters in length, with a diameter of 2 meters and spans 5 meters when its solar arrays are deployed. It weighs 500 kilograms at launch and maintains the same dry mass. Its shape is described as box-like with two panels. Power for the satellite is provided by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. The satellite's equipment includes Hornet 6 payload for its mission operations, supported by attitude control systems (AOCS) manufactured by NGISD.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2
Diameter
2
Span
5
Dry Mass
500
Launch Mass
500
Shape
Box + 2 pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Hornet 6
Purpose
Space surveillance
Mission
Space surveillance
Manufacturer
NGISD
Life Expectancy
6 years
Bus
GeoStar-1
Configuration
GeoStar-1
Motor
AOCS
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
2 deployable 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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