Space Brief 14 May 2025
Today's edition covers China's latest launches in their classified satellite programs, ongoing discussions in the U.S. Senate on missile defense, and the ever-escalating space debris crisis threatening national security.
OPTUS-X (ADS-01) (62006)
COSPAR: 2024-212A | Alt Name: Optus X
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
November 17, 2024
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC39A
Launch Vehicle
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
62006
International Designator
2024-212A
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 19:03:08 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
0.02°
Right Ascension
50.01°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
87.53°
Period
1436.09 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
OPTUS-X (ADS-01)
Alternative Name
Optus X
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
OPTS
Country
Australia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 62006U 24212A 26200.79384587 -.00000147 00000+0 00000+0 0 9997
2 62006 0.0167 50.0058 0002358 87.5344 242.2208 01.00271988 6087
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The satellite named OPTUS-X (ADS-01), also known as Optus X, is a communication satellite manufactured by ADST/ADSUK and owned by OPTS. It was launched on November 17, 2024, from LC39A at AFETR using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The satellite uses the Eurostar 3000EOR bus with a GeoStar-3 configuration and has dimensions of 5 meters in length, 2.5 meters in diameter, and spans 38 meters when its components are deployed. It weighs approximately 4000 kg at launch and has a dry mass of 2000 kg. The satellite is equipped with two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power generation. Its mission is to provide communication services.
Physical Characteristics
Length
5
Diameter
2.5
Span
38
Dry Mass
2000
Launch Mass
4000
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
ADS-01
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
ADST/ADSUK
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Eurostar 3000EOR
Configuration
GeoStar-3 Bus ?
Motor
XPS/PPS-5000
Equipment
?
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, 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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