X Report 4 Feb 2025
Canada reconsiders Starlink contract amidst US tariff delays, and new concerns arise over falling space debris.
HOTSAT-1 (56954)
COSPAR: 2023-084Y | Alt Name: HOTSAT-1
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
56954
International Designator
2023-084Y
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 19:28:08 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
97.63°
Right Ascension
335.68°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
137.75°
Period
94.54 min
Mean Motion
15.23 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info
Name
HOTSAT-1
Alternative Name
HOTSAT-1
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
SATVU
Country
United Kingdom
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 56954U 23084Y 26200.81120641 .00002528 00000+0 11011-3 0 9992
2 56954 97.6268 335.6752 0001866 137.7465 222.3915 15.23172917172062
Source: Celestrak
Summary
HOTSAT-1, also known as DarkCarb, is an Earth observation satellite with a configuration type SSTL-42 and was manufactured by SSTL for SATVU. Launched on June 12, 2023, from AFWTR SLC4E using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle, the satellite has dimensions of 1 meter in length, 0.5 meters in diameter, and a span of 1 meter. It weighs 130 kg at both dry mass and launch mass. The satellite is powered by solar cells and batteries and uses H2O AOCS as its motor system. Its shape consists of a box with a cone and one panel attached. HOTSAT-1's mission involves Earth observation using MWIR Pathfinder payload equipment, and it was designed to operate for five years but has already reached six months of operation.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1
Diameter
0.5
Span
1
Dry Mass
130
Launch Mass
130
Shape
Box+cone+1 pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
MWIR Pathfinder
Purpose
Earth observation
Mission
Earth observation
Manufacturer
SSTL
Life Expectancy
5 years (design), 6 months (#1 reached)
Bus
DarkCarb
Configuration
SSTL-42
Motor
H2O AOCS
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Solar cells, 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.
The Korean Optical Wide-field patroL-Network (OWL-Net)
South Korea's sophisticated network of robotic telescopes provides critical space situational awareness while strengthening the nation's position in space security amid regional tensions
Space Brief 11 Apr 2025
Today's brief covers Millennium's milestone in missile defense, new satellite jammer for Space Force, budget increases for defense, delays in MEO satellite contracts, and potential impacts of Trump's latest order on Pentagon programs.
X Report 11 Sep 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 21 military satellites, marking a key achievement in national security efforts, while preparations continue for the upcoming NASA mission and insights emerge from the Starship development process.
10,168 Starlink Satellites in Orbit, X Report 6 Apr 2026
Current number of Starlink satellites in orbit April 2026: 10,168 working of 10,177 tracked, 11,724 launched. Fleet health tops 99.9%.
Space Brief 27 Nov 2024
Space highlights include a debut launch of ZhuQue-2E, Firefly's lunar lander timeline, semiconductor funding for satellites, and ISS debris avoidance.
Starlink Constellation Size Nears 10,000, X Report 16 Mar 2026
Starlink constellation size in March 2026: 9,996 satellites in orbit and 9,986 working from 11,504 launched, as SpaceX deorbits legacy V1.0 hardware.
X Report 6 Mar 2025
Starship Flight 8 set for launch, new milestones in the defense sector, and launch updates dominate today's news.