Space Brief 23 Nov 2025
Today's highlights include a space debris incident involving China's spacecraft, development advancements for military space missions, and a notable setback for SpaceX's Starship booster.
USA 391 (60174)
COSPAR: 2024-121S | Alt Name: USA 391
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
60174
International Designator
2024-121S
Decay Date
Unknown
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
USA 391
Alternative Name
USA 391
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
NROC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
The satellite identified by NORAD CAT ID 60174 and OBJECT_ID 2024-121S is named USA 391 and operates under the ownership of NROC (National Reconnaissance Office). It was launched on June 29, 2024, from SLC4E at AFWTR using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The satellite has dimensions of 0.3 meters in length, 4.1 meters in diameter, and spans 29 meters when deployed. Its dry mass is 700 kilograms, and it had an initial launch mass of 750 kilograms. Equipped with deployable solar arrays for power generation, USA 391 uses a Starshield bus configuration and its mission purpose remains unknown (likely imaging or SIGINT). The satellite's shape is described as "Box + pan" and it was manufactured by SPXS.
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 2-17
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
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