Space Force Eyes Asteroid Mining, Clashes With Congress on R-GPS | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force sees strategic value in asteroid mining. Congress pushes back on R-GPS phase-out over jamming risks. BlackSky expands Gen 3 defense contracts.
GRIDSPHERE 2 (05401)
COSPAR: 1971-067G | Alt Name: AVL-802 Grid Sphere 7-2
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 7, 1971
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
BMRSA2
Launch Vehicle
Atlas F
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
05401
International Designator
1971-067G
Decay Date
4/14/1979
Basic Satellite Info
Name
GRIDSPHERE 2
Alternative Name
AVL-802 Grid Sphere 7-2
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
SAMSO/AFAL
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
Apologies, there is no summary for this satellite yet. I am working to generate these for every object in the catalog, but it is going to take time.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2.1
Diameter
2.1
Span
2.1
Dry Mass
4
Launch Mass
4
Shape
Sphere
Radar Cross Section
4.4914
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
AVL-802
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
AFAL/GOYR
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
AVL-802
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Kratos Wins $447M Space Force MEO Missile Tracking Deal | KeepTrack Space Brief
Kratos awarded $447 million Space Force contract for Resilient Missile Warning Tracking ground ops center in Medium Earth Orbit, shifting missile detection away from vulnerable GEO satellites.
Santa Maria Spaceport (Azores)
Europe's Atlantic outpost enters the launch business. How Portugal's first licensed spaceport in the Azores is preparing for suborbital flights in 2026 and positioning to receive ESA's Space Rider in 2028.
The Satellites the Size of a Studio Apartment
AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird constellation is a bet that raw aperture size wins. Each satellite unfolds a 64-square-meter phased-array antenna in orbit, the largest commercial antenna ever deployed. The company claims a stock smartphone on the ground can connect directly to it. The competition says the physics doesn't support that. Seventeen satellites in and a contract with AT&T, Verizon, and Vodafone, somebody's math is wrong.
Hypersonica Missile Hits Mach 6 in Norway Flight Test | KeepTrack Space Brief
Hypersonica completes Mach 6+ hypersonic missile flight test in Norway covering 300+ km. Pentagon seeks commercial GEO spy satellites. Gilat wins $9M Israeli defense satcom deal.
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.
Space Brief 18 Jan 2025
In today's brief: high-profile personnel changes in the Space Force, the inclusion of Space Force in historical political events, and strategic shifts in defense highlighted with a focus on satellite applications.
Space Brief 26 Mar 2025
Today's briefing covers the US Space Force's pivotal journeys, emerging hypersonic weaponry, and innovative drone technologies, with a special satellite update featuring Jackal X-1L-001.