SATURN 5 R/B (06634)

COSPAR: 1973-027B | Alt Name: Saturn S-II-13
DECAYED

Image
SATURN 5 R/B Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

May 14, 1973

Launch Pad

LC39A

Launch Vehicle

Saturn V

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

06634

International Designator

1973-027B

Decay Date

1/11/1975

Basic Satellite Info

Name

SATURN 5 R/B

Alternative Name

Saturn S-II-13

Type

Rocket Body

Status

Space Junk

Owner

MSFC

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

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

24.9

Diameter

10

Span

24.9

Dry Mass

40106

Launch Mass

58407

Shape

Cyl

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Saturn S-II-13

Purpose

Unknown

Mission

Unknown

Manufacturer

RWISB

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

S-II

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 Rocket That Refused to Sink

The Rocket That Refused to Sink

On April 18, 2014, a Falcon 9 first stage did something no orbital rocket had ever done before. It fired its engines on the way down, steered itself through the atmosphere using grid fins that did not yet exist, and touched the Atlantic Ocean softly enough to survive the impact. Nobody recovered it. The data was the whole point.

X Report 22 Dec 2024

X Report 22 Dec 2024

SpaceX successfully launches two rideshare missions to mid-inclination orbits, expanding their satellite deployment capabilities.

SpaceX Launches 13th NRO Proliferated Architecture Mission | KeepTrack Space Brief

SpaceX Launches 13th NRO Proliferated Architecture Mission | KeepTrack Space Brief

Falcon 9 successfully deployed NROL-72 for National Reconnaissance Office's 13th proliferated architecture mission. Low-Earth orbit intelligence constellation expanding since 2021.

X Report 2 Dec 2025

X Report 2 Dec 2025

SpaceX successfully launched its 60th mission of the year, deploying 27 Starlink satellites from California. The company continues to hit milestones, confirming its dominance in spaceflight as Elon Musk acknowledges the achievement. Spire also expands its partnership with Deloitte to enhance cybersecurity in orbit.

Space Brief 9 Jun 2025

Space Brief 9 Jun 2025

Key space events for today include potential changes in US space policy involving SpaceX, uncertainties regarding NASA's Starliner, and China's new steps in asteroid exploration.

Starlink V2 Flies on Starship in 2027, X Report 4 Mar 2026

Starlink V2 Flies on Starship in 2027, X Report 4 Mar 2026

Gwynne Shotwell confirms Starlink V2 launches on Starship in 2027. Ship 39 preps Starship Flight 12; Falcon 9 lofts its 600th Starlink of 2026.

Blue Origin's New Glenn Destroyed in Hotfire Anomaly | KeepTrack Space Brief

Blue Origin's New Glenn Destroyed in Hotfire Anomaly | KeepTrack Space Brief

Blue Origin lost New Glenn during static fire testing at Launch Complex 36. Vehicle sustained serious damage in anomaly. NASA Artemis timeline impacts possible.

Space Force Awards First-Ever $52M Satellite Deorbit Contract to Starfish Space | KeepTrack Space Brief

Space Force Awards First-Ever $52M Satellite Deorbit Contract to Starfish Space | KeepTrack Space Brief

Space Force awards first-of-its-kind $52M contract to Starfish Space for deorbiting defunct satellites. AST SpaceMobile selected for Missile Defense Agency SHIELD program. $26B Space Force budget confirmed.