Space Brief 30 Sep 2025
Today's briefing covers China's rapid satellite launch activities, new Pentagon contracts for rocket motors, the Dream Chaser spaceplane's upcoming flight, and more.
Launch Date
September 17, 2023
Launch Site
XICLF
Launch Pad
LC3
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 2D
NORAD ID
57886
International Designator
2023-145A
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 18:41:05 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
35.00°
Right Ascension
355.50°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
257.61°
Period
94.54 min
Mean Motion
15.23 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Name
YAOGAN-39 02A
Alternative Name
Yaogan 39 02 zu 01 xing
Type
Status
Owner
ZZB
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 57886U 23145A 26200.77853023 .00005287 00000+0 22000-3 0 9992
2 57886 35.0042 355.4989 0003057 257.6051 102.4322 15.23127258158143
Source: Celestrak
Length
2.5
Diameter
2.5
Span
5
Dry Mass
300
Launch Mass
300
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Yaogan 39-02 A
Purpose
Earth observation or SIGINT ?
Mission
Earth observation or SIGINT ?
Manufacturer
DFHZ
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Unknown
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Today's briefing covers China's rapid satellite launch activities, new Pentagon contracts for rocket motors, the Dream Chaser spaceplane's upcoming flight, and more.
SpaceX sets a new launch record as it prepares for its 133rd Falcon 9 mission. Additionally, developments in satellite technology and mergers in the space sector highlight the ongoing competition.
Today's highlights include Space Force's new satcom design contracts, advances in AI training tools, Pentagon drone policy shifts, and the first Eris launch's failure.
Today's brief highlights a landmark cooperation between NASA and China to prevent satellite collision, strategic steps in American space leadership through nuclear energy, a U.S. military missile test, and more.
As of March 2024, SpaceX's Starlink has made remarkable strides in its quest to provide global broadband internet access. With an astounding number of satellites already in orbit and ambitious plans for expansion, Starlink is on track to dominate Earth's orbit in the coming years.
SpaceX is exploring alternative options for static fire tests amid infrastructure setbacks, emphasizing their adaptability in operations.
On April 14, 1958, Sputnik 2 burned up over the North Atlantic, carrying the remains of a stray dog from Moscow who had been dead for five months. The Soviet Union told the world she survived for days. It took forty-five years for the truth to come out.
SpaceX continues to make strides with its Starship program while successfully launching another batch of Starlink satellites into orbit, enhancing global internet coverage.