Space Brief 16 Dec 2024
Today's briefing covers the ULA's military application for Vulcan's upper stage, FAA's efforts to expedite launch licensing, and a fascinating flyby of Mercury by BepiColombo.
USA 361 (59821)
COSPAR: 2024-096H | Alt Name: USA 361
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
59821
International Designator
2024-096H
Decay Date
Unknown
Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info
Name
USA 361
Alternative Name
USA 361
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
NROC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
USA 361, also known as Starshield 1-08, is a satellite launched by the US on May 22, 2024, from AFWTR using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle. It has a box shape with pan design and measures 0.3 meters in length, 4.1 meters in diameter, and 29 meters in span. The satellite's dry mass is 700 kilograms, and it had an initial launch mass of 750 kilograms. Equipped with deployable solar arrays for power, its purpose is unknown but suggested to be related to imaging or SIGINT activities. It was manufactured by SPXS and owned by NROC (National Reconnaissance Office).
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.3
Diameter
4.1
Span
29
Dry Mass
700
Launch Mass
750
Shape
Box + pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Starshield 1-08
Purpose
Unknown (imaging or SIGINT)
Mission
Unknown (imaging or SIGINT)
Manufacturer
SPXS
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Starshield
Configuration
Starshield bus ?
Motor
?
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
deployable solar arrays
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Space Brief 19 Dec 2025
Today's brief highlights significant developments in space defense, innovation fund challenges, and international defense agreements impacting satellite utilities.
Space Brief 3 Jun 2025
Today's highlights include China's remote-sensing satellite launch, U.S. Space Force's investment in missile-tracking satellites, and NASA's MAVEN milestone on Mars.
Musk Pivots SpaceX Focus to Moon Settlement Before Mars | KeepTrack X Report
Elon Musk shifts SpaceX's priority to lunar settlement before Mars colonization. Crew-12 launch delayed by weather to Feb 12. SpaceX partners with Hexagon Purus for manufacturing.
Space Brief 4 Dec 2024
Today's brief covers significant advancements in materials technology for space applications, a U.S. Navy contract for rocket production facilities, and NATO's upcoming classified cloud system.
X Report 24 Jun 2025
SpaceX successfully launched the Transporter-14 mission, adding multiple payloads, including Canadian satellites and a memorial capsule, while Starlink expands its services in Vietnam and enhances T-Mobile's reach.
AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile Unite vs Starlink D2D, X Report 18 May 2026
Starlink direct-to-device competition unites AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile for the first time as SpaceX's 10,354 working satellites reshape mobile coverage.
Space Brief 15 Dec 2024
Anticipated NISAR launch now scheduled for March 2025; Rivada persists in broadband constellation quest despite setbacks; SpaceX scrubbed RRT-1 launch holds mystery.