Space Force Eyes Space Tugs, On-Orbit Refueling by 2030 | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force commits to operational space tugs and on-orbit refueling by 2030. New capabilities will complicate conjunction analysis for GEO and MEO satellite tracking.
Launch Date
June 17, 2022
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC39A
Launch Vehicle
NORAD ID
52863
International Designator
2022-062AK
Epoch
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 06:00:04 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
53.16°
Right Ascension
147.80°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
93.88°
Period
94.39 min
Mean Motion
15.26 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
STARLINK-4270
Alternative Name
Starlink 4270
Type
Status
Owner
SPXS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 52863U 22062AK 26201.25004630 .00075404 00000+0 29205-2 0 9996
2 52863 53.1611 147.7973 0001434 93.8764 245.5854 15.25512970 5858
Source: Celestrak
Length
0.2
Diameter
2.8
Span
9
Dry Mass
275
Launch Mass
297
Shape
Box + pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Starlink Group 4-19-34
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
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Space Force commits to operational space tugs and on-orbit refueling by 2030. New capabilities will complicate conjunction analysis for GEO and MEO satellite tracking.
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