Space Brief 30 Dec 2025
Today's briefing covers Rocket Lab's plans following a record-breaking year, efforts to recover NASA's MAVEN orbiter, and the potential relocation of space shuttle Discovery.
Launch Date
June 23, 2024
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
NORAD ID
60096
International Designator
2024-117F
Epoch
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 05:13:27 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
53.16°
Right Ascension
141.09°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
100.97°
Period
93.85 min
Mean Motion
15.34 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
STARLINK-32016
Alternative Name
Starlink 32016
Type
Status
Owner
SPXS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 60096U 24117F 26201.21768022 .00001517 00000+0 56005-4 0 9998
2 60096 53.1604 141.0866 0001154 100.9729 259.1404 15.34404567117189
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 10-2-06
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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