USA 459 (62358)

COSPAR: 2024-243U | Alt Name: USA 459
DECAYED

Image
USA 459 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

December 17, 2024

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC4E

Launch Vehicle

Falcon 9

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

62358

International Designator

2024-243U

Decay Date

Unknown

Basic Satellite Info

Name

USA 459

Alternative Name

USA 459

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

NROC

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary
USA 459, also known by its OBJECT_ID 2024-243U, is a Starshield bus satellite owned by NROC and launched on December 17, 2024, from the AFWTR launch site using SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. The spacecraft has dimensions of 0.3 meters in length, 4.1 meters in diameter, and spans 29 meters when fully deployed. It weighed 800 kilograms at launch with a dry mass of 750 kilograms. Equipped with deployable solar arrays for power, the purpose of USA 459 is unknown but suspected to be related to imaging or SIGINT missions. The satellite's shape is described as box-shaped with additional panels, and it was manufactured by SpaceX.
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 5-19

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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