Space Brief 4 Sep 2024
Today's brief highlights SpaceX's Starlink launch, the sale of Telesat's remote communications services, advancements in hypersonic missile tracking, and more on satellite imagery from the NGA.
Launch Date
October 14, 1972
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC41/1
Launch Vehicle
Molniya 8K78M
NORAD ID
06231
International Designator
1972-081A
Decay Date
11/1/1977
Name
MOLNIYA 1-21
Alternative Name
Molniya-1
Type
Status
Owner
GUKOSR
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Apologies, there is no summary for this satellite yet. I am working to generate these for every object in the catalog, but it is going to take time.
Length
4.4
Diameter
1.4
Span
8.6
Dry Mass
1620
Launch Mass
1650
Shape
Cyl + 6 Pan
Radar Cross Section
2
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Molniya-1 No. 26L
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
OKB10
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Molniya-1
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Today's brief highlights SpaceX's Starlink launch, the sale of Telesat's remote communications services, advancements in hypersonic missile tracking, and more on satellite imagery from the NGA.
SpaceX gears up for major Starlink launch, while Starship developments continue to shape commercial spacefrontiers.
Today's highlights include China's remote-sensing satellite launch, U.S. Space Force's investment in missile-tracking satellites, and NASA's MAVEN milestone on Mars.
Today's Space Brief covers the latest developments in space debris detection, Ursa Major's defense push, and SpaceX's Starlink launch. Additionally, insights into microreactors for military bases, US Cyber Command updates, and gravitational wave discoveries are highlighted.
Elon Musk provided updates on the anticipated Starship Flight 10, along with insights on SpaceX's progress at Cape Canaveral. Key developments include target timelines for upcoming launches and ongoing efforts in Starship's development.
On April 25, 1990, the Space Shuttle Discovery's robotic arm lifted a 11,110-kilogram barrel of mirrors and instruments out of the payload bay and released it into orbit. Six weeks later, the first images came back badly out of focus. The Hubble Space Telescope had been ground to the wrong prescription, and America had just spent $2.5 billion on what the press was calling a 'technoturkey.'
SpaceX Falcon 9 booster B1067 set for 36th flight Thursday with Starlink 10-42 mission from Cape Canaveral. Long March 10B debuts Friday in China.
How many Starlink satellites are in orbit in 2026? 10,087 working of 10,097 on orbit, 11,612 launched to date, per KeepTrack data.