The $30 Million Toilet That Keeps Breaking on the Way to the Moon
Sixty years of space toilet engineering, a decade of development, and a $30 million contract - and the Artemis II crew still had to pee in bags on Day 1.
STARLINK-5238 (54188)
COSPAR: 2022-141AH | Alt Name: Starlink 5238
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
54188
International Designator
2022-141AH
Epoch
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 06:00:04 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
53.16°
Right Ascension
118.29°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
84.97°
Period
94.65 min
Mean Motion
15.21 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info
Name
STARLINK-5238
Alternative Name
Starlink 5238
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
SPXS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 54188U 22141AH 26201.25004630 .00076891 00000+0 33674-2 0 9992
2 54188 53.1593 118.2910 0002808 84.9659 17.5842 15.21356955 5807
Source: Celestrak
Summary
STARLINK-5238 is a Starlink satellite, part of the Starlink Group 4-31-32 constellation, owned and operated by SpaceX (SPXS). It was launched on October 28, 2022, from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Air Force Base using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The spacecraft has dimensions of 0.2 meters in length, 2.8 meters in diameter, and spans 9 meters when its components are extended. It weighs 305 kilograms at launch with a dry mass of 290 kilograms and is equipped with solar arrays and batteries for power generation. Its payload includes a Ku/Ka-band communication system and an optical inter-satellite link, intended for communication purposes. The satellite uses krypton ion thrusters for propulsion.
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 4-31-32
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
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Musk Addresses Orbital Data Center Crowding Fears | KeepTrack X Report
Elon Musk pushed back on orbital crowding concerns as SpaceX eyes data centers in space, with 10,584 Starlink satellites currently operational.
Mike Melvill, 124 Meters, and the Morning Space Went Private
On 21 June 2004, a 63-year-old test pilot rode a homebuilt rocket plane to 100,124 meters above the Mojave Desert, clearing the edge of space by about the length of a city block. He came down the first private astronaut in history, holding a sign that read 'SpaceShipOne, GovernmentZero.'
81 Payloads Deployed to SSO; Long March 10B & Vikram-I Debut This Week | KeepTrack Space Brief
SpaceX rideshare Falcon 9 deployed 81 payloads including military tech demos to sun-synchronous orbit. China's Long March 10B and India's Vikram-I both debut this week among 6 scheduled launches.
Demystifying the USSPACECOM Two-Line Element Set Format
Discover the history and significance of Two-Line Element Sets (TLEs) in satellite tracking. Dive into their components, applications, and how they are evolving to meet future space challenges.
The Day That Humans Discovered Rocket Fuel
On February 2, 1909, Robert Goddard made a revolutionary breakthrough in his notebook: liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen could achieve 50% efficiency in converting heat energy to kinetic energy for rocket propulsion
X Report 28 May 2025
Today marks significant milestones and setbacks for SpaceX as Starship Flight 9 completes a historic launch but ultimately suffers a loss of control. Additionally, a successful Starlink deployment continues to expand global internet coverage.
Space Brief 18 Dec 2025
Today's updates cover Rocket Lab's launch for the U.S. Space Force, Digantara's major funding round, and discussions on national security in space.