Long March 10B Debut Highlights 4-Launch Week | KeepTrack Week in Review
This week: China's Long March 10B debuted successfully, SpaceX merged with xAI, and Starlink topped 10,775 satellites in orbit.
WESTFORD NEEDLES (00628)
COSPAR: 1963-014F | Alt Name: Midas solar array cover
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
May 9, 1963
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
LC1-2
Launch Vehicle
Atlas Agena B
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
00628
International Designator
1963-014F
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 10:43:54 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
87.34°
Right Ascension
200.25°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
118.93°
Period
166.79 min
Mean Motion
8.63 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info
Name
WESTFORD NEEDLES
Alternative Name
Midas solar array cover
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
AFSSD
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 00628U 63014F 26200.44715443 .00000003 00000+0 00000+0 0 9993
2 00628 87.3428 200.2483 0022912 118.9326 241.3829 08.63374745991741
Source: Celestrak
Summary
Space debris, also known as space junk, encompasses all non-functional objects orbiting Earth such as defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from collisions or disintegrations. Over time, this debris can accumulate and create an increasingly hazardous environment in orbit. Even tiny fragments, traveling at extremely high velocities, can inflict significant damage on operational satellites and spacecraft. If left unmanaged, the density of debris raises the risk of catastrophic collisions and further fragmentation, compounding the problem and threatening the safety and sustainability of space activities.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.5
Diameter
0.3
Span
1.5
Dry Mass
10
Launch Mass
10
Shape
Pan
Radar Cross Section
0.4595
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Strongback [RCS 1.0]
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
Unknown
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Unknown
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
X Report 24 Aug 2025
SpaceX successfully launched its CRS-33 Dragon cargo mission to the ISS, while preparations for the upcoming Starship Flight 10 continue, highlighting significant advancements in both cargo operations and test flight reliability.
Space Brief 17 Aug 2025
Today's space news features major US Space Force satellite launches, regulatory changes supporting private space initiatives, and updates on SpaceX's Starship advances.
Second Starlink Satellite Generates Debris; Falcon 9 Booster Flies 34th Mission | KeepTrack Space Brief
Second Starlink satellite malfunctioned on orbit and generated debris within three months of prior event. Falcon 9 booster completed record 34th mission from Cape Canaveral.
SpaceX Unveils Space Traffic Management System, Bahamas Landings Resume | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX unveils new space traffic management system for orbital coordination. Bahamas grants permission for rocket landings after Starship debris pause. Musk proposes lunar satellite catapult.
Etlaq Spaceport
The Middle East's first commercial spaceport is building launch heritage one rocket at a time. How Oman is positioning Duqm as a global launch hub - and what the 2025 delays tell us about the real pace of spaceport development.
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.
Space Brief 18 Apr 2025
Today's highlights include a Minotaur IV launch of U.S. spy satellites, Rocket Lab's new defense contracts, and the unveiling of Space Force's warfighting framework. Plus, the Satellite Spotlight dives into METEOR 3-1.