SpaceX Wins $178.5M Space Force Contract, X Report 3 Apr 2026
SpaceX secured a $178.5M Space Force contract to launch missile-tracking satellites from 2027, backing the Missile Track Custody threat-tracking layer.
Launch Date
March 16, 2024
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC39A
Launch Vehicle
NORAD ID
59241
International Designator
2024-049L
Epoch
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 02:34:06 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
43.00°
Right Ascension
116.03°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
278.65°
Period
94.27 min
Mean Motion
15.28 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
STARLINK-31427
Alternative Name
Starlink 31427
Type
Status
Owner
SPXS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 59241U 24049L 26201.10702094 .00001703 00000+0 71400-4 0 9990
2 59241 43.0024 116.0250 0000970 278.6542 81.4200 15.27581442132652
Source: Celestrak
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 6-44-11
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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