Artemis 2 Targets April 1 Lunar Flyby with 4-Person Crew | KeepTrack Space Brief
NASA's Artemis 2 launches April 1 with Commander Reid Wiseman and 3 crew members for first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo 17 in 1972.
SL-8 R/B (09444)
COSPAR: 1976-098B | Alt Name: Kosmos-3M 16-333 Stage 2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
September 29, 1976
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC132/2
Launch Vehicle
Kosmos 11K65M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
09444
International Designator
1976-098B
Epoch
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 05:49:18 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
74.05°
Right Ascension
305.48°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
340.51°
Period
100.04 min
Mean Motion
14.39 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SL-8 R/B
Alternative Name
Kosmos-3M 16-333 Stage 2
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RVSN
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 09444U 76098B 26201.24257367 .00000088 00000+0 36896-4 0 9999
2 09444 74.0522 305.4757 0013420 340.5100 19.5539 14.39392436 45956
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
4.2
Diameter
2.4
Span
4.2
Dry Mass
1434
Launch Mass
1434
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
4.1953
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
S3M
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
OAZ
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
S3
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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
New Glenn Upper Stage Fails, BlueBird 7 Lost, Space Brief 20 Apr 2026
New Glenn's upper stage malfunctioned April 19, stranding AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird 7; the satellite is lost. Vulcan may fly without solid boosters.
Space Force Awards $437M for Military Satcom; New Glenn Clears Return | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force contracts Viasat and SES for $437M Protected Tactical Satcom-Global program. Blue Origin clears New Glenn for flights after Flight 3 investigation.
Space Brief 6 Mar 2025
Today's brief covers secret Space Force payloads monitoring China's satellites, collaborations reducing satellite tracking delays, and new AI projects for military operations.
Space Brief 1 Dec 2025
Today's brief covers China's latest classified satellite launch, breakups in orbital refueling experiments, exciting advancements in microsatellites, and SpaceX's remarkable strides in spaceflight.
Space Force Modernizes Networks Across 14 Bases, SDA Expands $3.5B Satellite Program | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force initiates cybersecurity network upgrades across 14 bases. SDA expands $3.5B Tracking Layer with 72 new satellites. SpaceX and China drive record orbital launches in 2025.
SpaceX Eyes $60B Cursor AI Acquisition Ahead of IPO | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX secured a $60B option to acquire Cursor AI while launching its 40th Falcon 9 mission of 2026, deploying 24 more Starlink satellites from Vandenberg.
X Report 9 Jan 2025
Exciting advancements from SpaceX as Starshield satellites prepare for launch, Starship Flight 7 faces a short delay, and new Starlink satellites enter orbit.