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Today's highlights: China's Long March 12 boosts lunar ambitions, SpaceX supports NRO's satellite infrastructure, Firefly prepares lunar mission, and NASA partners with SpaceX for Titan exploration.
SL-3 R/B (09662)
COSPAR: 1977-002B | Alt Name: Vostok-2M (N49) Stage 3
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
January 6, 1977
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC43/3
Launch Vehicle
Vostok 8A92M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
09662
International Designator
1977-002B
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 18:52:34 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
81.28°
Right Ascension
141.52°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
167.33°
Period
102.76 min
Mean Motion
14.01 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
SL-3 R/B
Alternative Name
Vostok-2M (N49) Stage 3
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RVSN
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 09662U 77002B 26200.78651484 .00000069 00000+0 37309-4 0 9992
2 09662 81.2764 141.5219 0052111 167.3345 192.9145 14.01312026531195
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
3.8
Diameter
2.6
Span
3.8
Dry Mass
1440
Launch Mass
1440
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
5.611
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
8A92ME
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
PROG
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Blok-E
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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