Space Brief 17 Jun 2025
Today's space brief covers key developments in satellite monitoring, U.K. defense contracts, and critical licensing reforms supporting national security.
NORAD ID
68856
International Designator
2026-094T
Epoch
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:14:28 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
97.28°
Right Ascension
215.06°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
102.32°
Period
93.91 min
Mean Motion
15.33 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
STARLINK-37483
Alternative Name
N/A
Type
Status
Owner
SPXS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 68856U 26094T 26201.01005002 .00008279 00000+0 25847-3 0 9997
2 68856 97.2846 215.0650 0001763 102.3224 257.8217 15.33445416 13081
Source: Celestrak
Length
0.3
Diameter
4.1
Span
29.0
Dry Mass
530
Launch Mass
575
Shape
Box + pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Starlink Group 17-16-18
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
SPXS
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Starlink V2MO
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Today's space brief covers key developments in satellite monitoring, U.K. defense contracts, and critical licensing reforms supporting national security.
China formalized a national VLEO industry alliance with multiple satellites sustaining operations below 300 kilometers altitude. Propulsion startups attracting investment.
Blue Origin aiming for 2nd New Glenn launch by end of 2026 after LC-36 pad explosion at Cape Canaveral. Repair timeline still unclear; mission critical for national security payloads.
Russia's Volna Kupol Garant electronic warfare system was purpose-built to jam Starlink. It costs around $1.5 million per unit, covers just 20 square kilometers, and can only target one satellite at a time. Ukraine has been finding and destroying them within days of deployment.
Japan's H3 rocket successfully launched June 11, deploying 6 smallsats to orbit after December failure. First return-to-flight for JAXA's flagship heavy-lift vehicle.
SpaceX successfully launched its 60th mission of the year, deploying 27 Starlink satellites from California. The company continues to hit milestones, confirming its dominance in spaceflight as Elon Musk acknowledges the achievement. Spire also expands its partnership with Deloitte to enhance cybersecurity in orbit.
Today's highlights include Russia's record-setting satellite launch, insights from NASA's AWE during Hurricane Helene, and confirmation of astronaut Suni Williams' good health aboard the ISS.
SpaceX pauses all Falcon 9 launches after upper stage anomaly during Starlink mission. Crew-12 astronaut launch may be affected. Booster 19 rolls out for cryogenic testing.