Space Force Eyes Space Tugs, On-Orbit Refueling by 2030 | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force commits to operational space tugs and on-orbit refueling by 2030. New capabilities will complicate conjunction analysis for GEO and MEO satellite tracking.
Launch Date
November 14, 2024
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
NORAD ID
61978
International Designator
2024-210V
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 13:57:52 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
43.00°
Right Ascension
154.75°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
270.28°
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-32606
Alternative Name
Starlink 32606
Type
Status
Owner
SPXS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 61978U 24210V 26200.58185882 .00004865 00000+0 18607-3 0 9992
2 61978 43.0006 154.7524 0000973 270.2754 89.7986 15.27599208 95054
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 6-68-20
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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