ESPAStar Satellite Bus

Data current as of 2026-07-20.

The ESPAStar bus accounts for 6 cataloged objects, of which 6 are in orbit and 6 are active. Most are built by NGIS. The largest operator on this bus is AFRL. The first launched in 2018, the most recent in 2025.

6
In orbit
6
Active
6
Total launched
0
Reentered

ESPAStar launched per year

1 2 2018: 1 object launched 2019: 0 objects launched 2020: 0 objects launched 2021: 1 object launched 2022: 2 objects launched 2023: 1 object launched 2024: 0 objects launched 2025: 1 object launched 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Still in orbit Click a year to list its satellites.

Typical specifications

Most common values across cataloged ESPAStar satellites.

Manufacturer NGIS
Purpose Technology
Launch mass 500 kg
Dry mass 500 kg
Length 0.6 m
Diameter 1.6 m
Span 3.6 m
Shape Cyl+panel
Power Deployable solar array, batteries
Propulsion ?
Design life 1 year
Equipment HTI-SpX, Mycroft, CEASE-III-RR, ISAL, ARMOR
Typical orbit 1423 min period, 6° inclination

Top operators

AFRL 5 USSF 1

Top countries

US 6

ESPAStar satellites

Track any of them live in KeepTrack.

Name NORAD COSPAR Owner Launched Orbit Status Track
NTS-3 65160 2025-173A USSF Aug 13, 2025 1430 min, 3.3° Active
LDPE-3A LDPE 3A 55264 2023-008B AFRL Jan 15, 2023 1452 min, 2.4° Active
LDPE-2 LDPE 2 54219 2022-144A AFRL Nov 1, 2022 1432 min, 5.7° Active
USA 333 USSF 12 Ring 52941 2022-073B AFRL Jul 1, 2022 1423 min, 2.2° Active
LDPE-1 LDPE 1 49818 2021-118B AFRL Dec 7, 2021 1455 min, 5.8° Active
USA 284 EAGLE 43340 2018-036B AFRL Apr 14, 2018 1492 min, 5.8° Active

Frequently asked questions

How many ESPAStar satellites are there?

The catalog lists 6 objects built on the ESPAStar bus. 6 are in orbit and 0 have reentered.

How many ESPAStar satellites are in orbit?

6 ESPAStar objects are currently in orbit, of which 6 carry an active status.

Who builds the ESPAStar bus?

The ESPAStar bus is most commonly built by NGIS.

When did the first ESPAStar satellite launch?

The first cataloged ESPAStar satellite launched in 2018, and the most recent in 2025.

Satellite data compiled by KeepTrack from CelesTrak, Space-Track, and GCAT, provided under CC BY-NC 4.0.