Space Brief 15 Jan 2025
Focus on Varda's second mission launch, new U.S. Defense Department tool for satellite anomaly investigation, and a detailed Satellite Spotlight on CELESTIS 21/Varisat 1C.
Launch Date
April 5, 2024
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
NORAD ID
59416
International Designator
2024-064U
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 19:24:41 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
43.00°
Right Ascension
29.86°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
268.38°
Period
94.27 min
Mean Motion
15.28 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Name
STARLINK-31399
Alternative Name
Starlink 31399
Type
Status
Owner
SPXS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 59416U 24064U 26200.80881846 -.00000081 00000+0 65680-5 0 9993
2 59416 43.0009 29.8580 0001144 268.3764 91.6956 15.27574969129431
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 6-47-19
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
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Focus on Varda's second mission launch, new U.S. Defense Department tool for satellite anomaly investigation, and a detailed Satellite Spotlight on CELESTIS 21/Varisat 1C.
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