X Report 25 Mar 2025
SpaceX achieves new milestones with back-to-back launches for the NRO while preparing for groundbreaking crewed polar mission FRAM2.
LIGHT-1 (51509)
COSPAR: 1998-067TG | Alt Name: Light-1
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
November 20, 1998
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC39A
Launch Vehicle
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
51509
International Designator
1998-067TG
Decay Date
1/16/2023
Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info
Name
LIGHT-1
Alternative Name
Light-1
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
NYUAD
Country
United Arab Emirates
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
LIGHT-1 is a CubeSat (3U) satellite operated by NYUAD for Earth observation purposes. Launched on November 20, 1998, from LC39A at TYMSC using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle, the spacecraft has dimensions of 0.3 meters in length and width, with a diameter of 0.1 meters. It weighs 4 kilograms both at launch and dry mass. Powered by solar cells and batteries, LIGHT-1 is designed as a box-shaped structure for its mission to observe Earth. The satellite became stable on February 3, 2022.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.3
Diameter
0.1
Span
0.3
Dry Mass
4
Launch Mass
4
Shape
Box
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Light-1
Purpose
Earth observation
Mission
Earth observation
Manufacturer
NYUAD
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Cubesat 3U
Configuration
CubeSat (3U)
Motor
None
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Vulcan GEM 63XL Passes Static Fire; February Anomaly Still Under Investigation | KeepTrack Space Brief
Northrop Grumman's GEM 63XL solid rocket booster passed static fire testing, but ULA's investigation into a February 2026 Vulcan in-flight anomaly remains open. No RTF date set.
Starship Flight 13 Static Fire, Florida Push, X Report 4 Jul 2026
Starship update July 2026: Flight 13 completed a full six-Raptor static fire as SpaceX targets its first Cape Canaveral Starship launch by year's end.
Space Brief 9 Jan 2025
Today's briefing includes new appointments in U.S. military and defense sectors, X-37B's continued mission, and international policy shifts affecting satellite technology sales.
Space Brief 30 Oct 2024
Today's briefing covers China's successful Shenzhou 19 launch to the Tiangong space station, NASA's upcoming spacewalks plan after a spacesuit issue, and innovative propulsion research for space journeys.
FCC Approves 7,500 More Starlink Satellites, SpaceX Wins $739M Launch Contract | KeepTrack X Report
FCC approves 7,500 additional Starlink Gen2 satellites. Space Force awards SpaceX $739M for nine national security launches. NASA plans Crew-11 medical evacuation from ISS on January 14.
Space Brief 6 Jun 2025
Today's space news features significant discussions on the funding of Space Force, advancements in hypersonic technology, and the potential impacts of spectrum auction plans on border defense systems.
Space Brief 9 Apr 2025
Today's brief covers Blue Origin’s new defense launch contracts, the ISS launch of a Navy SEAL astronaut, Sierra Space’s GPS security advancements for the U.S. Space Force, and the Space Force's 'Orbital Watch' initiative.