The Day America Gained New Eyes on Mars
Fifty-six years ago, a revolutionary spacecraft launched toward the Red Planet after being saved from disaster by two quick-thinking technicians who risked their lives to prevent a rocket collapse
SL-8 R/B (09598)
COSPAR: 1976-118J | Alt Name: Kosmos-3M 16-330 Stage 2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 7, 1976
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC132/1
Launch Vehicle
Kosmos 11K65M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
09598
International Designator
1976-118J
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 19:14:11 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
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Inclination
74.02°
Right Ascension
322.76°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
273.11°
Period
117.63 min
Mean Motion
12.24 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
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
SL-8 R/B
Alternative Name
Kosmos-3M 16-330 Stage 2
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RVSN
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 09598U 76118J 26200.80152292 -.00000012 00000+0 31577-4 0 9993
2 09598 74.0177 322.7636 0137198 273.1108 257.0599 12.24172503217115
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
5.996
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
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