The Day NASA Chose Its First Space Pioneers
Sixty-four years ago, NASA made a decision that would shape the future of human spaceflight by selecting three astronauts to compete for America's first journey into space
COSMOS 252 DEB (04031)
COSPAR: 1968-097CE | Alt Name: deb Kosmos-252
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
November 1, 1968
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC90/20
Launch Vehicle
Tsiklon-2A
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
04031
International Designator
1968-097CE
Decay Date
7/30/1982
Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 252 DEB
Alternative Name
deb Kosmos-252
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
PKO
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
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
0
Diameter
0
Span
0
Dry Mass
0
Launch Mass
0
Shape
N/A
Radar Cross Section
0.0118
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Unknown
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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
The Satellite That Taught Us What We Were Doing to the Planet
Landsat 7 launched on April 15, 1999, designed to last five years. It operated for twenty-five, survived a failure that destroyed a fifth of every image it took, and became part of the longest continuous record of Earth's surface ever assembled. Then they made the data free.
Space Brief 26 Oct 2025
Today's brief covers a new Space Force contract for advanced tracking systems, innovative debris removal strategies, pivotal new satellite launches, and significant updates in air quality tracking from orbit.
X Report 17 Nov 2024
SpaceX readies for Starship Flight 6, stacking the megarocket for its upcoming launch on Nov. 19. Get details on the timing and mission objectives.
Pentagon Chief Tours Rocket Lab, Space Force Accelerates 2026 Acquisitions | KeepTrack Space Brief
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth tours Rocket Lab for Arsenal of Freedom strategy. Space Force accelerates 2026 acquisitions including GPS and tactical comms. Rhea Space wins $1.9M optical nav contract.
Artemis 2 Returns to Pad, Targets April 1 Launch | KeepTrack Space Brief
NASA's SLS and Orion spacecraft rolled back to Launch Complex 39B, targeting April 1 for first crewed lunar flyby with four astronauts aboard.
Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory
Designed for a two-year mission to catch gamma-ray bursts in the act, Swift is now 21 years old, slowly falling out of the sky, and the subject of an unprecedented private rescue mission. Nobody planned for it to be this hard to let go.
Space Brief 18 Sep 2024
Today's Space Brief covers Rocket Lab's IoT satellite launch, SpaceX's European Galileo satellites, FAA's fine on SpaceX, Polaris Dawn mission achievements, and more.