ATLAS CENTAUR R/B (10779)

COSPAR: 1978-035B | Alt Name: Centaur AC-48

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

March 31, 1978

Launch Site

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Launch Pad

LC36B

Launch Vehicle

Atlas SLV-3D Centaur

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

10779

International Designator

1978-035B

Epoch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 16:35:35 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

22.14°

Right Ascension

1.33°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

255.14°

Period

646.46 min

Mean Motion

2.23 rev/day

Latitude

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Longitude

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Altitude

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Velocity

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Polar Plot

3D Visualization

Basic Satellite Info

Name

ATLAS CENTAUR R/B

Alternative Name

Centaur AC-48

Type

Rocket Body

Status

Space Junk

Owner

LERC

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 10779U 78035B   26184.69138829 -.00000199  00000-0 -50391-3 0  9996

2 10779  22.1397   1.3275 7184830 255.1425  21.6693  2.22752996392266

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

15.118

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Centaur D-1AR AC-48

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

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