Space Brief 23 Oct 2025
Today's updates cover Vantor's satellites overcoming tracking challenges, a startup's ambitious missile defense test, and more pivotal space events.
Launch Date
November 27, 1974
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC43/4
Launch Vehicle
Voskhod 11A57
NORAD ID
07551
International Designator
1974-095A
Decay Date
12/9/1974
Name
COSMOS 696
Alternative Name
Kosmos-696
Type
Status
Owner
GUKOSR
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Apologies, there is no summary for this satellite yet. I am working to generate these for every object in the catalog, but it is going to take time.
Length
6.5
Diameter
2.4
Span
6.5
Dry Mass
2200
Launch Mass
2200
Shape
Sphere + DCone
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Gektor No. 57L
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
TSSKB
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Zenit-2M
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Today's updates cover Vantor's satellites overcoming tracking challenges, a startup's ambitious missile defense test, and more pivotal space events.
China files ITU paperwork for megaconstellations totaling nearly 200,000 satellites. SpaceX launches first rideshare mission of 2026 from Vandenberg. NASA plans ISS crew medical evacuation.
SpaceX gears up for significant 2026 launches while a Starlink satellite anomaly provides insights into its operations.
New Glenn rocket exploded hours after U.S. Space Force and NRO awarded Blue Origin a national security launch task order. Stand-down and mishap investigation expected.
SpaceX launches Crew-12 to ISS and lands Falcon 9 booster at new LZ-40 pad for the first time. xAI restructures $18B in debt ahead of possible IPO. 6,000 Starlink terminals smuggled into Iran.
SpaceX receives FAA clearance for Starship Flight 10 and celebrates its 100th Falcon 9 launch of the year, successfully deploying 24 Starlink satellites.
SpaceX plans to lower orbits of 4,400 Starlink satellites after two collision-concern incidents. Cosmo-SkyMed Earth observation satellite launched for Italy from Vandenberg.
On 21 June 2004, a 63-year-old test pilot rode a homebuilt rocket plane to 100,124 meters above the Mojave Desert, clearing the edge of space by about the length of a city block. He came down the first private astronaut in history, holding a sign that read 'SpaceShipOne, GovernmentZero.'