BLACKJACK ACES-4 (56952)

COSPAR: 2023-084W | Alt Name: Blackjack Aces-4

DECAYED

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

June 12, 2023

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC4E

Launch Vehicle

Falcon 9

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

56952

International Designator

2023-084W

Decay Date

1/30/2026

Explore in the Catalog

X-SAT bus United States satellites Payloads

Basic Satellite Info

Name

BLACKJACK ACES-4

Alternative Name

Blackjack Aces-4

Type

Payload

Status

Decayed

Owner

DARPA

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary

The BLACKJACK ACES-4 satellite, also known as Blackjack Aces-4, is owned by DARPA and was launched on June 12, 2023, from the Air Force Western Test Range (AFWTR) using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle at SLC4E. It has dimensions of 1.5 meters in length, 0.5 meters in diameter, and a span of 1.5 meters. The satellite weighs 200 kilograms both at launch and dry mass. Its mission is focused on technology applications, it uses solar cells and batteries for power, and its structure is described as a box shape. It was manufactured by BLCAN/LMSS with the BUS type being X-SAT and configuration Saturn bus.

Physical Characteristics

Length

1.5

Diameter

0.5

Span

1.5

Dry Mass

200

Launch Mass

200

Shape

Box

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Blackjack Aces-4

Purpose

Technology

Mission

Technology

Manufacturer

BLCAN/LMSS

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

X-SAT

Configuration

Saturn bus

Motor

Unknown

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

Solar cells, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

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 20 Oct 2025

SpaceX made significant strides with the successful launch of Starlink satellites and the approval for the redevelopment of SLC-6, reinforcing its foothold in commercial spaceflight.

SpinLaunch's Kinetic Launch System

How a California startup's massive centrifuge could transform space access by eliminating rocket fuel, reducing costs by 70%, and enabling daily satellite launches - if it can overcome the physics of scaling from suborbital tests to orbital reality

X Report 20 Jul 2025

SpaceX successfully launched 24 Starlink satellites, enhancing its constellation while continuing its leadership in satellite deployment for global internet coverage.

Space Brief 4 Jun 2025

Key developments include China's Shijian 26 satellite launch, U.S. Space Force's BAE Systems contract for missile-tracking satellites, and military advancements in space systems.

Starlink Satellite Count Hits 10,168, X Report 5 Apr 2026

Starlink satellite count for April 2026: 10,177 in orbit, 10,168 working from 11,724 launched. No new anomalies, four reentries expected Apr 5-7.

Hayabusa2 Executes Risky July 5 Asteroid Flyby, Space Brief 20 Jul 2026

Japan's Hayabusa2 executed a close-range asteroid flyby on July 5 after mission planners initially rejected the approach as too dangerous. Extended mission pushes hardware past design limits.

Space Brief 30 Jun 2025

Today's highlights include SpaceX's record-breaking launches, Japan's final H-2A launch, and significant developments in satellite data policies impacting weather forecasting.