SpaceX Launches CAS500-2 and 44 Rideshares, Space Brief 3 May 2026
SpaceX CAS500-2 launch success: Falcon 9 flew May 3 at 0700 UTC from Vandenberg with South Korea's imaging satellite and 44 rideshare payloads.
Launch Date
May 19, 2023
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
NORAD ID
56696
International Designator
2023-067J
Decay Date
7/7/2023
Name
STARLINK-30118
Alternative Name
Starlink 30118
Type
Status
Owner
SPXS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Length
0.3
Diameter
4.1
Span
29
Dry Mass
700
Launch Mass
730
Shape
Box + pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Starlink Group 6-3-09
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
SPXS
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Starlink V2M
Configuration
Starlink v2 Mini
Motor
Argon ion thrusters
Equipment
Ku/Ka/E-band payload, optical inter-satellite link
Power System
Solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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SpaceX CAS500-2 launch success: Falcon 9 flew May 3 at 0700 UTC from Vandenberg with South Korea's imaging satellite and 44 rideshare payloads.
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