USA 438

In orbit

USA 438 (NORAD 62163, COSPAR 2024-225A) is a US satellite in orbit, launched on 30 Nov 2024 on the NRO St B2/NRO PA05 mission. It is catalogued as Starshield B2-01. It is operated by NRO as part of the NRO Star B programme. The spacecraft was built by SPXS on the Starshield bus, with a mass of 800 kg. No current orbital elements are published for it, so it is not shown on the live map or in pass predictions. Catalogue record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.

2024

launched

years on orbit

800

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched30 Nov 2024 · on the NRO St B2/NRO PA05 mission

StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)

Specifications

NORAD ID62163

COSPAR2024-225A

TypeSatellite

OperatorNRO

Country / StateUS

ManufacturerSPXS

BusStarshield

Mass800 kg (750 kg dry)

ProgrammeNRO Star B

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude305 × 315 km

Inclination70.0°

Frequently asked questions

What is USA 438?

USA 438 is a satellite launched in 2024 that is still in orbit. No current orbital elements are published for it, so it is not shown on the live map or in pass predictions.

Who operates and built USA 438?

USA 438 is operated by NRO and built by SPXS (US).

Launched together

Starshield B2-02NORAD 62164 Starlink Group 15-0-01NORAD 62165 Starlink Group 15-0-02NORAD 62166 Starlink Group 15-0-03NORAD 62167 Starlink Group 15-0-04NORAD 62168 Starlink Group 15-0-05NORAD 62169 Starlink Group 15-0-06NORAD 62170 Starlink Group 15-0-07NORAD 62171

Catalogue record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-10-22.

Browse the live satellite directory → The Orbital Register → Launch record: NRO St B2/NRO PA05 → What is space debris? →