Space Brief 24 Dec 2025
Today's highlights include the successes and setbacks in recent rocket launches, a notable satellite anomaly, and a significant expansion announcement from ESA.
DELTA 1 DEB (08537)
COSPAR: 1972-058GL | Alt Name: deb Delta 89
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
July 23, 1972
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC2W
Launch Vehicle
Delta 0900
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
08537
International Designator
1972-058GL
Decay Date
3/31/1988
Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info
Name
DELTA 1 DEB
Alternative Name
deb Delta 89
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
GSFC
Country
United States
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
0.0888
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 Pentagon's Mystery Spaceplane Takes Off
On April 22, 2010, an Atlas V lifted off from Cape Canaveral carrying a reusable robotic spaceplane so secret that the Air Force would not even confirm its mission duration. It came back 224 days later, lighter, quieter, and more operational than anyone outside Washington had expected. Fifteen years later, the X-37B is still flying, and the military still will not say what it does.
SpaceX Names AI Megaconstellation "Starmind" | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX officially names its planned AI megaconstellation Starmind while a Falcon 9 upper stage targets a lunar impact this August.
Space Brief 17 May 2025
Today's brief covers SES's satellite orchestration, SpaceX's defense role, cyber scorecards in DoD, and more.
X Report 7 Feb 2025
DIU explores SpaceX Starship's in-space refueling; Investors advise startups against competing or emulating SpaceX.
The Day Two Satellites Hit Each Other at 26,000 MPH
On February 10, 2009, an active Iridium communications satellite and a derelict Soviet military spacecraft slammed into each other 789 kilometers above Siberia. The collision produced more than 2,300 pieces of trackable debris that are still up there. Seventeen years later, the Iridium-Cosmos collision remains the event that made space debris a policy problem the world could no longer ignore.
NASA Declares MAVEN Dead; Eastern Range Damage Assessment Underway | KeepTrack Space Brief
NASA officially ended the MAVEN Mars orbiter mission after months of radio silence following an anomaly. Space Force assessing Eastern Range damage from separate incident affecting launch cadence.
Space Brief 15 Feb 2025
Today's highlights include SpaceX's record-setting Starlink launch, Redwire's contract for USSF, and military satellite developments.