Space Brief 22 Aug 2024
ESA's Cluster mission coming to an end, Europe's contributions to Artemis III, JUICE's groundbreaking maneuvers, Yaogan EO satellites, and amateur astronomers discovering exoplanets.
SL-8 R/B (10777)
COSPAR: 1978-034B | Alt Name: Kosmos-3M 68-307 Stage 2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 31, 1978
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC132/1
Launch Vehicle
Kosmos 11K65M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
10777
International Designator
1978-034B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:41:43 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
82.94°
Right Ascension
292.75°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
304.10°
Period
104.52 min
Mean Motion
13.78 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SL-8 R/B
Alternative Name
Kosmos-3M 68-307 Stage 2
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RVSN
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 10777U 78034B 26185.02897066 .00000074 00000-0 59181-4 0 9993
2 10777 82.9437 292.7529 0024750 304.0976 229.9264 13.77745668425212
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
4.0281
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.
Space Brief 25 Dec 2025
Today's highlights include the Pentagon's report on China's military buildup, Innospace's upcoming launch plans, Starlink's rapid growth, China's significant space strides in 2025, and India's successful deployment of BlueBird 6.
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.
NASA Awards SpaceX 6 More Crew Missions as Boeing Stalls | KeepTrack X Report
NASA is adding 6 post-certification crew missions to SpaceX's contract as Boeing remains unable to certify Starliner for operational flights.
X Report 5 Jan 2025
SpaceX prepares for the next Starship test flight with significant vehicle upgrades, launches UAE's Thuraya-4 satellite, and reflects on a record-breaking 2024 while planning for a promising 2025.
Space Brief 30 Nov 2024
Today's highlights include SpaceX's dual satellite launches, a new Space Force contract with Raytheon, and Astroscale's upcoming OneWeb mission.
Space Force Acquisition Workforce Shortfall Threatens Modernization | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force modernization stalls over workforce gaps. Deutsche Telekom targets 2028 for Starlink Mobile V2 across 10 EU nations. Iran ops strain US munition stocks.
X Report 17 Sep 2025
Today’s highlights include successful Falcon 9 launch for MECANO ID, ongoing Starship Block 3 development, and plans for direct-to-device testing next year.