Space Brief 24 Oct 2024
Today's Space Brief highlights SpaceX Crew-8's return, Intelsat-33e satellite breakup, SpaceX's upcoming Starship tests, and notable launches including China's new mega-constellation.
DRO-B (60058)
COSPAR: 2024-048D | Alt Name: N/A
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
January 1, 45364
Launch Site
Xichang Satellite Launch Center
Launch Pad
LC-3/LA-1
Launch Vehicle
Long March 2C/YZ-1S
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
60058
International Designator
2024-048D
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 11:36:26 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
30.02°
Right Ascension
354.36°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
323.37°
Period
63812.08 min
Mean Motion
0.02 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
DRO-B
Alternative Name
N/A
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
After an initial launch anomaly on March 13, 2024, which left the satellite in an incorrect orbit, efforts were made to salvage the mission. Subsequent tracking data indicated that the satellite successfully reached its intended distant retrograde orbit around the Moon.
Latest TLEs
1 60058U 24048D 26185.48363426 -.00025690 00000+0 00000+0 0 9996
2 60058 30.0202 354.3613 3375647 323.3743 1.1185 00.02256626 132
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The DRO-B satellite, identified by NORAD catalog ID 60058 and OBJECT_ID 2024-048D, is a Chinese spacecraft designed for technology demonstration in communication and navigation within a distant retrograde orbit around the Moon. Launched on March 13, 2024, from Xichang Satellite Launch Center using the Long March 2C/YZ-1S launch vehicle, DRO-B faced an initial anomaly that left it in an incorrect orbit. However, subsequent efforts led to its successful insertion into the intended distant retrograde orbit. The satellite is cylindrical with dimensions of 0.8 meters in length and diameter, and a span of 0.8 meters, weighing 400 kilograms at launch and dry mass. It was manufactured by the Microsatellite Innovation Institute, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which also owns it. DRO-B is associated with another satellite, DRO-A, as part of its mission objectives.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.8
Diameter
0.5
Span
0.8
Dry Mass
400
Launch Mass
400
Shape
Cylindrical
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
DRO-B
Purpose
Technology demonstration for communication and navigation in lunar distant retrograde orbit.
Mission
DRO-B is part of a mission to test communication and navigation technologies in a distant retrograde orbit around the Moon.
Manufacturer
Microsatellite Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
DRO
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
?
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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