LUNAR FLASHLIGHT (54697)

COSPAR: 2022-168B | Alt Name: Lunar Flashlight
DECAYED

Image
LUNAR FLASHLIGHT Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

December 11, 2022

Launch Pad

LC40

Launch Vehicle

Falcon 9

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

54697

International Designator

2022-168B

Decay Date

Unknown

Basic Satellite Info

Name

LUNAR FLASHLIGHT

Alternative Name

Lunar Flashlight

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

JPL

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary
LUNAR FLASHLIGHT, also known as Lunar Flashlight, is a CubeSat (6U) lunar orbiter satellite manufactured by JPL and owned by the same entity. It was launched on December 11, 2022, from AFETR LC40 using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The spacecraft measures 0.3 meters in length, has a diameter of 0.2 meters, and spans 0.9 meters. LUNAR FLASHLIGHT has a dry mass of 14 kilograms and the same launch mass. It is powered by four deployable fixed solar arrays and batteries. The satellite's shape is described as Box + 2 pan, with a configuration typical for CubeSats. Its mission is to orbit the Moon, and its expected lifetime is less than two years.
Physical Characteristics

Length

0.3

Diameter

0.2

Span

0.9

Dry Mass

14

Launch Mass

14

Shape

Box + 2 pan

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Lunar Flashlight

Purpose

Lunar orbiter

Mission

Lunar orbiter

Manufacturer

JPL

Life Expectancy

< 2 years

Bus

Cubesat 6U

Configuration

CubeSat (6U)

Motor

?

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

4 deployable fixed solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

Space Brief 30 Apr 2025

Space Brief 30 Apr 2025

Today's briefing covers a significant hypersonic missile launch by the U.S. Army, the declassification of spy satellite photos aiding demining efforts, and the deployment of cutting-edge research payloads to the ISS.

Starship V3 Launch Looms as Residents Sue Over Home Damage | KeepTrack X Report

Starship V3 Launch Looms as Residents Sue Over Home Damage | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX faces a new lawsuit from Texas residents alleging Starship launches caused property damage, just as V3 flight preparations ramp up.

X Report 12 Aug 2025

X Report 12 Aug 2025

SpaceX ramps up Raptor 3 testing and the launch landscape heats up with Vulcan and Ariane set to lift off before Starlink missions.

Space Brief 16 Sep 2025

Space Brief 16 Sep 2025

Today's brief highlights the impact of military spending and technology competition on the space economy, new satellite connectivity partnerships, and defense spending pledges in Europe.

Seismic Networks Now Track Space Junk, Pentagon Faces Golden Dome Cost Challenges | KeepTrack Space Brief

Seismic Networks Now Track Space Junk, Pentagon Faces Golden Dome Cost Challenges | KeepTrack Space Brief

Johns Hopkins researchers use seismic networks to track space debris in near real-time. Pentagon faces Golden Dome production scale challenges. SpaceX launches 25 Starlink sats in seventh 2026 mission.

The Day America Entered the Space Age

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 7 May 2025

Space Brief 7 May 2025

Today's briefing focuses on key developments in military space activities, technological advancements, and strategic challenges faced by the U.S. in space dominance. Notably, the Space Force is expanding its missile warning capabilities, and significant funding discussions are underway.

X Report 15 Dec 2024

X Report 15 Dec 2024

SpaceX faces a launch delay at Cape Canaveral and continues to advance Starship development.