Space Brief 17 Apr 2025
Today's brief covers the redeployment of decommissioned missile technologies to orbital duties, Germany's plans for a sovereign communications network, and fresh developments in hypersonic testing through Rocket Lab.
BEIDOU-3 M26 (58655)
COSPAR: 2023-207B | Alt Name: Beidou DW 58
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 26, 2023
Launch Site
XICLF
Launch Pad
XSC -
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 3B/YZ-1
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
58655
International Designator
2023-207B
Epoch
Sat, 18 Jul 2026 05:46:08 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
55.78°
Right Ascension
61.24°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
324.66°
Period
773.24 min
Mean Motion
1.86 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info
Name
BEIDOU-3 M26
Alternative Name
Beidou DW 58
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
CNSA
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 58655U 23207B 26199.24037519 -.00000066 00000+0 00000+0 0 9992
2 58655 55.7828 61.2421 0001836 324.6649 35.3897 01.86229724 17402
Source: Celestrak
Summary
BEIDOU-3 M26, also known as Beidou DW 58, is a navigation satellite manufactured by CAST and owned by CNSA. Launched on December 26, 2023, from Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSC) using the Chang Zheng 3B/YZ-1 launch vehicle, this spacecraft has a bus configuration designated as BD-3M. Its dimensions include a length of 2.2 meters, a diameter of 1.7 meters, and a span of 10 meters. At launch, it had a mass of 1014 kg and a dry mass of 850 kg. The satellite is powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries and has an expected lifetime of 12 years. Its shape is described as Box + 2 Pan and its mission is focused on navigation purposes within the Beidou-3 constellation.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2.2
Diameter
1.7
Span
10
Dry Mass
850
Launch Mass
1014
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Beidou-3 M28
Purpose
Navigation
Mission
Navigation
Manufacturer
CAST
Life Expectancy
12 years
Bus
BD-3M
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
?
Power System
2 deployable 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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
The Day NASA Chose Its First Space Pioneers
Sixty-four years ago, NASA made a decision that would shape the future of human spaceflight by selecting three astronauts to compete for America's first journey into space
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.
Space Brief 3 Mar 2025
Historic moon landing by Firefly Aerospace, Spanish Air and Space Force advances with new simulator, and spotlight on OneWeb's communication satellite.
Artemis 2 Returns to Pad, Targets April 1 Launch | KeepTrack Space Brief
NASA's SLS and Orion spacecraft rolled back to Launch Complex 39B, targeting April 1 for first crewed lunar flyby with four astronauts aboard.
X Report 25 May 2025
SpaceX addresses the cause of its recent Starship Flight 8 explosion, while successfully launching 23 more Starlink satellites as it continues to expand its constellation.
X Report 24 Dec 2025
SpaceX gears up for significant 2026 launches while a Starlink satellite anomaly provides insights into its operations.
X Report 23 Oct 2025
SpaceX continues to break records with its Falcon 9 missions while facing public scrutiny from Elon Musk regarding NASA's leadership. Meanwhile, satellite spectrum battles heat up as Lynk Global and Omnispace prepare to merge.