MDA Space Buys Blue Canyon for $620M, Space Brief 20 Jun 2026
MDA Space acquires Blue Canyon Technologies for $620 million, and NASA's 2028 Aeolus Mars orbiter goes to a California startup instead of SpaceX.
Launch Date
January 30, 2025
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC39A
Launch Vehicle
NORAD ID
62853
International Designator
2025-021B
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 06:55:55 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
24.65°
Right Ascension
255.00°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
326.58°
Period
1296.04 min
Mean Motion
1.11 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
FALCON 9 R/B
Alternative Name
Falcon 9-431 Stage 2
Type
Status
Owner
SPX
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 62853U 25021B 26200.28883931 -.00000118 00000+0 81369-3 0 9996
2 62853 24.6498 255.0032 8256253 326.5796 2.1451 01.11107916 5943
Source: Celestrak
Length
12.6
Diameter
3.6
Span
12.6
Dry Mass
4000
Launch Mass
4000
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
F9-431 St2
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
SPX
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
F9St2
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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MDA Space acquires Blue Canyon Technologies for $620 million, and NASA's 2028 Aeolus Mars orbiter goes to a California startup instead of SpaceX.
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