Space Brief 31 May 2025
Today's brief covers a significant GPS satellite launch by SpaceX, China's classified satellite mission, and Rocket Lab's strategic steps in the defense sector.
COSMOS 970 DEB (10879)
COSPAR: 1977-121AA | Alt Name: deb Kosmos-970
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 21, 1977
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC90
Launch Vehicle
Tsiklon-2
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
10879
International Designator
1977-121AA
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:06:11 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
65.83°
Right Ascension
66.62°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
133.93°
Period
104.57 min
Mean Motion
13.77 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 970 DEB
Alternative Name
deb Kosmos-970
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
PKO
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 10879U 77121AA 26185.08763378 .00000278 00000-0 34644-3 0 9998
2 10879 65.8267 66.6225 0112574 133.9312 227.1110 13.77088115632927
Source: Celestrak
Summary
Space debris, also known as space junk, encompasses all non-functional objects orbiting Earth such as defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from collisions or disintegrations. Over time, this debris can accumulate and create an increasingly hazardous environment in orbit. Even tiny fragments, traveling at extremely high velocities, can inflict significant damage on operational satellites and spacecraft. If left unmanaged, the density of debris raises the risk of catastrophic collisions and further fragmentation, compounding the problem and threatening the safety and sustainability of space activities.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0
Diameter
0
Span
0
Dry Mass
0
Launch Mass
0
Shape
N/A
Radar Cross Section
0.051
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Unknown
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
Unknown
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Unknown
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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