Space Brief 11 Mar 2025
Today's Space Brief highlights pivotal defense budget evaluations, Lithuania's growing defense connections, the first CubeSat for ESA's Ramses mission, and the one-year milestone of the Aries satellite in orbit.
STARLINK-5946 (55990)
COSPAR: 2023-042E | Alt Name: Starlink 5946
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 24, 2023
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
55990
International Designator
2023-042E
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 14:06:26 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
43.01°
Right Ascension
34.54°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
270.43°
Period
94.27 min
Mean Motion
15.28 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
STARLINK-5946
Alternative Name
Starlink 5946
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
SPXS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 55990U 23042E 26200.58781063 -.00000101 00000+0 58534-5 0 9999
2 55990 43.0050 34.5442 0001136 270.4259 89.6463 15.27577165183042
Source: Celestrak
Summary
STARLINK-5946 is a Starlink satellite owned by SPXS and was launched on March 24, 2023, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Launch Complex 40 using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The spacecraft measures 0.2 meters in length, with a diameter of 2.8 meters and a span of 9 meters. It has a dry mass of 290 kilograms and was launched with a mass of 305 kilograms. Equipped with Ku/Ka-band payload and an optical inter-satellite link for communication purposes, the satellite also features Krypton ion thrusters as its propulsion system. Power is supplied through solar arrays and batteries. The mission objective of STARLINK-5946 is to provide communication services as part of the Starlink Group 5-5-05 constellation.
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 5-5-05
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
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