Space Brief 16 Aug 2025
Today's brief covers ULA's new mission for the US Space Force, China's moon rocket test, delays in the DARC radar system, and SpaceX's Starlink launches.
STARLINK-4646 (53737)
COSPAR: 2022-107AP | Alt Name: Starlink 4646
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
September 5, 2022
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
53737
International Designator
2022-107AP
Decay Date
2/10/2026
Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info
Name
STARLINK-4646
Alternative Name
Starlink 4646
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
SPXS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
STARLINK-4646, also known as Starlink 4646, is a communication satellite belonging to SpaceX's Starlink constellation. Launched on September 5, 2022, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 40 using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle, the satellite has a dry mass of 290 kg and a launch mass of 305 kg. Its dimensions include a length of 0.2 meters, diameter of 2.8 meters, and span of 9 meters. The equipment includes Ku/Ka-band payload and an optical inter-satellite link for data transmission. Power is provided by solar arrays and batteries, while propulsion uses Krypton ion thrusters. The satellite's shape consists of a box with a panel design, and it was manufactured in the United States.
Starlink is a satellite constellation developed by SpaceX with the aim of providing global broadband internet coverage. Thousands of small satellites are deployed in low Earth orbit (LEO), enabling high-speed internet access even in remote areas. However, the rapid increase in satellites raises concerns about space debris and the potential for collisions, which can lead to further debris creation and endanger other spacecraft. Additionally, the sheer number of Starlink satellites can affect astronomical observations by increasing light pollution. Proper deorbiting plans and international coordination are essential to mitigate these challenges and ensure long-term sustainability in space.
Starlink is a satellite constellation developed by SpaceX with the aim of providing global broadband internet coverage. Thousands of small satellites are deployed in low Earth orbit (LEO), enabling high-speed internet access even in remote areas. However, the rapid increase in satellites raises concerns about space debris and the potential for collisions, which can lead to further debris creation and endanger other spacecraft. Additionally, the sheer number of Starlink satellites can affect astronomical observations by increasing light pollution. Proper deorbiting plans and international coordination are essential to mitigate these challenges and ensure long-term sustainability in space.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.2
Diameter
2.8
Span
9
Dry Mass
290
Launch Mass
305
Shape
Box + pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Starlink Group 4-20-38
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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Starship Flight 13 Targets July 16 Launch | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX targets July 16 for Starship Flight 13 from Starbase, aiming to fix Flight 12 issues and deploy working Starlink satellites.
X Report 25 Jan 2025
SpaceX advances Starship infrastructure, President Trump considers closing the National Space Council, and 23 new Starlink satellites boost global connectivity.
The Day America Entered the Space Age
Sixty-seven years ago, a slender rocket carried America's first satellite into orbit, discovering a mysterious feature of our planet that would change our understanding of space forever
Space Brief 16 Sep 2024
Highlights of the day include the Polaris Dawn mission's splashdown, advances in space traffic management, and intriguing astronomy insights from the cloud's edge.
X Report 22 Jun 2025
Key updates include the impending Falcon 9 launch for Transporter-14, insights on Starship's explosion, and a last-minute abort of the Starlink 10-23 mission.
Space Brief 24 Sep 2025
Key highlights on China's reusable rocket developments, U.S. military's Tranche 1 satellite launch, Space Force's weapons acquisition strategies, and more.
The Day We Banned the Word "Film"
On January 20, 1972, the second KH-9 HEXAGON lifted off from Vandenberg - carrying the most sophisticated reconnaissance system ever built by engineers who weren't allowed to say 'film,' 'camera,' or even talk to each other about what they were doing.