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Today's Space Brief highlights SpaceX's return to Starlink launches, a call to address space debris, and changes in NASA leadership under the new Trump administration.
THOR ABLESTAR R/B (00703)
COSPAR: 1963-049A | Alt Name: Ablestar 015
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 5, 1963
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
75-1-1
Launch Vehicle
Thor Ablestar
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
00703
International Designator
1963-049A
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 09:28:26 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
89.92°
Right Ascension
69.97°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
170.41°
Period
106.67 min
Mean Motion
13.50 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
THOR ABLESTAR R/B
Alternative Name
Ablestar 015
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
AFSSD
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 00703U 63049A 26200.39474924 .00000020 00000+0 15862-4 0 9991
2 00703 89.9236 69.9690 0016246 170.4057 3.2484 13.50002804 83602
Source: Celestrak
Summary
A rocket body, also commonly referred to as an upper stage or spent rocket stage, is the structural shell left behind after a rocket has delivered its payload to orbit. These large and often heavy pieces of space hardware can remain in orbit for years, posing significant collision hazards as part of the growing space debris problem. If left uncontrolled, rocket bodies have the potential to reenter Earth's atmosphere unpredictably, which can lead to falling debris in populated areas. Additionally, they risk colliding with operational satellites or the International Space Station, creating more debris and putting human life at risk.
Physical Characteristics
Length
4.8
Diameter
1.4
Span
4.8
Dry Mass
600
Launch Mass
670
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
3.3116
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
AJ10-104D
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
AJ
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Ablestar
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
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