Space Brief 28 Jan 2025
Today's highlights include Space Force's budget shifts, China's new commercial lunar collaboration, and SpaceX's latest Starlink launch.
USA 486 (62757)
COSPAR: 2025-014Y | Alt Name: USA 486
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
January 21, 2025
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC39A
Launch Vehicle
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
62757
International Designator
2025-014Y
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 22:00:10 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
43.00°
Right Ascension
271.93°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
309.65°
Period
91.34 min
Mean Motion
15.77 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
USA 486
Alternative Name
USA 486
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
Country
United States
Constellation
Starshield
Related Satellites
Major Events
Launched on January 21, 2025, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center.
Latest TLEs
1 62757U 25014Y 26200.91678380 .00259491 00000+0 15390-2 0 9990
2 62757 42.9986 271.9307 0001178 309.6547 50.4219 15.76501673 85945
Source: Celestrak
Summary
USA 486 is part of SpaceX's Starshield program and was designed for advanced satellite capabilities aimed at U.S. government and military applications. Launched on January 21, 2025, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center, the satellite has dimensions including a length of 0.3 meters, a diameter of 4.1 meters, and a span of 29 meters. It has a dry mass of 750 kg and was launched with a mass of 800 kg. The spacecraft is owned by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and manufactured by SpaceX. Its mission involves enhancing national security through advanced capabilities such as secure communications and Earth observation, though specific details remain classified. USA 486's shape is described as "Box + pan," it is spin-stabilized, and its exterior is clad in aluminum. The satellite’s exact transmitter frequencies are not publicly disclosed due to classification. It is part of the Starshield constellation and related to another satellite identified as USA 485.
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
Silver (aluminum-clad)
Material Composition
Aluminum and composite materials
Technical Details
Payload
Starshield B3-02
Purpose
Designed to enhance national security through advanced satellite capabilities, including secure communications and earth observation.
Mission
USA 486 is part of SpaceX's Starshield program, designed to provide advanced satellite capabilities for U.S. government and military applications. The specific mission details of USA 486 remain classified.
Manufacturer
SpaceX
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Starshield
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Spin-stabilized
Transmitter Frequency
Classified; specific frequencies are not publicly disclosed.
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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