Space Brief 15 Nov 2025
Today's highlights include recent missile deals impacting military satellite launches, a Navy salvage operation in the South China Sea, and defense updates from the Manama Dialogue 2025.
SPACEMOBILE-005 (61046)
COSPAR: 2024-163B | Alt Name: SpaceMobile-005
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
September 12, 2024
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
61046
International Designator
2024-163B
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 20:42:42 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
52.98°
Right Ascension
159.13°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
210.20°
Period
94.69 min
Mean Motion
15.21 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
SPACEMOBILE-005
Alternative Name
SpaceMobile-005
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
ASTS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 61046U 24163B 26200.86299742 .00002757 00000+0 13835-3 0 9993
2 61046 52.9750 159.1324 0008503 210.2048 149.8457 15.20725340102735
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The SPACEMOBILE-005 satellite, also known as SpaceMobile-005, was launched on September 12, 2024, from the Air Force Eastern Test Range (AFETR) using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle from Launch Complex 40. It is owned and manufactured by ASTS and designed for communications and technology purposes. The satellite measures 1 meter in length and diameter with a span of 9 meters and has a dry mass of 1500 kg, which is the same as its launch mass. Its structure consists of a box with a plate shape, powered by solar cells and batteries. The payload for this mission is BlueBird SM005.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1
Diameter
1
Span
9
Dry Mass
1500
Launch Mass
1500
Shape
Box + plate
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
BlueBird SM005
Purpose
Communications, technology
Mission
Communications, technology
Manufacturer
ASTS
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
BW3
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
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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