Space Brief 13 Apr 2025
SpaceX launches a doubleheader of satellites while Blue Origin prepares for a historic all-female spaceflight. Also, meet FORMOSAT-5 in our Satellite Spotlight.
Launch Date
June 1, 2024
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
NORAD ID
59931
International Designator
2024-106K
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:02:45 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
43.00°
Right Ascension
307.17°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
277.61°
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-31960
Alternative Name
Starlink 31960
Type
Status
Owner
SPXS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 59931U 24106K 26200.62691917 .00001533 00000+0 65230-4 0 9992
2 59931 43.0048 307.1737 0002001 277.6103 82.4521 15.27580733120708
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 6-64-10
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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