Space Brief 18 May 2025
Today's briefing highlights recent launches and failures, including an Indian radar satellite setback, successful Rocket Lab missions, and China's debut of upgraded rocket technology.
ATLAS CENTAUR R/B (08621)
COSPAR: 1976-010B | Alt Name: Centaur D-1AR AC-37
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
January 29, 1976
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC36B
Launch Vehicle
Atlas SLV-3D Centaur
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
08621
International Designator
1976-010B
Epoch
Sat, 18 Jul 2026 17:04:49 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
21.36°
Right Ascension
93.29°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
270.78°
Period
652.37 min
Mean Motion
2.21 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
ATLAS CENTAUR R/B
Alternative Name
Centaur D-1AR AC-37
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
LERC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 08621U 76010B 26199.71167980 -.00000002 00000+0 10183-2 0 9994
2 08621 21.3628 93.2909 7187944 270.7812 14.6056 02.20732581286255
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
1800
Launch Mass
2000
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
14.991
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Centaur D-1AR AC-37
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
GDC
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Centaur
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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