FCC Approves Reflect Orbital Sunlight Satellite | KeepTrack Space Brief
FCC clears Reflect Orbital's first satellite to bounce sunlight into nighttime zones, despite pushback from astronomers concerned about orbital streaking and wildlife impacts.
ONEWEB-0556 (55798)
COSPAR: 2023-029C | Alt Name: OneWeb SL0556
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 9, 2023
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
55798
International Designator
2023-029C
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 17:39:55 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
87.92°
Right Ascension
267.98°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
117.56°
Period
109.03 min
Mean Motion
13.21 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ONEWEB-0556
Alternative Name
OneWeb SL0556
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
ONEWEBN
Country
United Kingdom
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 55798U 23029C 26200.73605472 .00000023 00000+0 25188-4 0 9996
2 55798 87.9171 267.9797 0001421 117.5553 242.5725 13.20770640165448
Source: Celestrak
Summary
ONEWEB-0556, also known as OneWeb SL0556, is a UK communication satellite using an Arrow bus configuration and manufactured by ONEWUS. It was launched on March 9, 2023, from the Air Force Eastern Test Range (AFETR), Launch Complex 40 (LC40) aboard a Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The satellite has dimensions of 1.3 meters in length, 1 meter in diameter, and spans 5 meters when deployed. It carries a Ku-Band payload for its communication mission and is powered by solar arrays and batteries. The dry mass of the spacecraft is 140 kilograms, with a launch mass of 148 kilograms. Its expected lifetime is approximately seven years, and it utilizes SPT-50 or BHT-350 Hall effect thrusters as propulsion systems. The satellite's shape is described as Trapezoid+2 pan.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.3
Diameter
1
Span
5
Dry Mass
140
Launch Mass
148
Shape
Trapezoid+2 pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
OneWeb L17-004
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
ONEWUS
Life Expectancy
+ 7 years
Bus
ARROW
Configuration
Arrow bus
Motor
SPT-50 or BHT-350 Hall effect thrusters
Equipment
Ku-Band payload
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.
Space Brief 24 Jun 2025
Today's top space events include a new military satellite launch by York Space, advancements in phased array antennas by Space Force, and the debut of Denmark's Arctic satellite. Also covered are developments in Starlink's services in Vietnam.
Space Brief 10 Jul 2025
Today's highlights include strategic shifts in the defense sector, innovations in solar technology for space, and developments in satellite-related military projects.
X Report 8 Mar 2025
SpaceX faces setbacks with Starship Flight 8 amid debris fallout, achieves regulatory win for smartphone connectivity, and prepares for upcoming ISS missions.
Satellites by Country
Explore a comprehensive breakdown of satellite counts by country, detailing the USA, Russia, China, and others.
Space Brief 18 Oct 2024
Explore exciting updates on satellite reentries impacting Earth's atmosphere, China's ambitious space exploration plans, and the latest advancements in the search for extraterrestrial life.
Space Brief 7 Oct 2025
Explore the latest in satellite communications with Cubic's new terminals, strategic acquisitions by Firefly, China's IoT satellite achievements, and key military updates.
JSC Vimpel
An analysis of Russia's independent space tracking system and how it compares to the established U.S. Space Surveillance Network