The Day Apollo 14 Restored NASA's Lunar Dreams
Fifty-four years ago, a Saturn V rocket lifted off carrying three astronauts determined to prove America could still reach the Moon after the near-disaster of Apollo 13
ATLAS CENTAUR R/B (06779)
COSPAR: 1971-116B | Alt Name: Centaur AC-26
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 20, 1971
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC36A
Launch Vehicle
Atlas SLV-3C Centaur
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
06779
International Designator
1971-116B
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 14:11:48 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
28.38°
Right Ascension
12.21°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
164.20°
Period
655.50 min
Mean Motion
2.20 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
ATLAS CENTAUR R/B
Alternative Name
Centaur AC-26
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
LERC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 06779U 71116B 26200.59153727 .00000015 00000+0 27657-2 0 9998
2 06779 28.3785 12.2050 7181660 164.2046 243.1932 02.19680913416178
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
9.1
Diameter
3.1
Span
9.1
Dry Mass
1700
Launch Mass
2000
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
14.8461
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Centaur 23D
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
GDC
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Centaur D
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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