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Today's briefing covers the ULA's military application for Vulcan's upper stage, FAA's efforts to expedite launch licensing, and a fascinating flyby of Mercury by BepiColombo.
USA 456 (62355)
COSPAR: 2024-243R | Alt Name: USA 456
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
62355
International Designator
2024-243R
Decay Date
Unknown
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
USA 456
Alternative Name
USA 456
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
NROC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
USA 456, also known as Starshield 5-16, is a satellite owned by NROC and operated using the Starshield bus configuration. It was launched on December 17, 2024, from SLC4E at AFWTR (Vandenberg Space Force Base) aboard a Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The spacecraft has dimensions of 0.3 meters in length, 4.1 meters in diameter, and spans 29 meters when deployed, with a dry mass of 750 kilograms and a launch mass of 800 kilograms. It is powered by deployable solar arrays and its purpose remains unknown but is suspected to be related to imaging or SIGINT (signals intelligence). The satellite's shape is described as "Box + pan." Additional details about its mission, equipment, and operational specifics are not provided.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.3
Diameter
4.1
Span
29
Dry Mass
750
Launch Mass
800
Shape
Box + pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Starshield 5-16
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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