Space Brief 28 Dec 2025
Exploring the future of space with concerns on space debris, rapid growth in orbital data centers, and new developments at launch sites.
Launch Date
August 19, 2022
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
NORAD ID
53539
International Designator
2022-101N
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 06:39:03 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
53.16°
Right Ascension
203.11°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
72.23°
Period
95.44 min
Mean Motion
15.09 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
STARLINK-4123
Alternative Name
Starlink 4123
Type
Status
Owner
SPXS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 53539U 22101N 26200.27712757 .00000527 00000+0 51212-4 0 9997
2 53539 53.1597 203.1103 0001347 72.2274 287.8865 15.08835825216037
Source: Celestrak
Length
0.2
Diameter
2.8
Span
9
Dry Mass
290
Launch Mass
300
Shape
Box + pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Starlink Group 4-27-13
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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