VANGUARD R/B (00012)

COSPAR: 1959-001B | Alt Name: Vanguard SLV-4 Stage 3

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

February 17, 1959

Launch Site

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Launch Pad

LC18A

Launch Vehicle

Vanguard

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

00012

International Designator

1959-001B

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:46:23 GMT

Apogee

Calculating...

Perigee

Calculating...

Inclination

32.90°

Right Ascension

165.22°

Eccentricity

Calculating...

Argument of Perigee

195.34°

Period

125.37 min

Mean Motion

11.49 rev/day

Latitude

Calculating...

Longitude

Calculating...

Altitude

Calculating...

Velocity

Calculating...

Polar Plot

3D Visualization

Basic Satellite Info

Name

VANGUARD R/B

Alternative Name

Vanguard SLV-4 Stage 3

Type

Rocket Body

Status

Space Junk

Owner

BSC

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 00012U 59001B   26185.19888810  .00000201  00000-0  10024-3 0  9996

2 00012  32.8988 165.2171 1646286 195.3384 159.0804 11.48622965533284

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

1.5

Diameter

0.7

Span

1.5

Dry Mass

Launch Mass

195

Shape

Cyl

Radar Cross Section

0.5266

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

GRC 33-KS-2800 175-15-21

Purpose

Unknown

Mission

Unknown

Manufacturer

GCR

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

33-KS-2800

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

Unknown

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

Unknown

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map

This tool will help you track the satellite's position and predict its upcoming passes over your location. Simply input the coordinates or click the geolocation button to get started.

Latitude

Longitude

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.

Artemis II Crew Sets Human Distance Record at Moon | KeepTrack Space Brief

Artemis II crew surpassed Apollo 13's distance record during April 6 lunar flyby. Orion carried 4 astronauts—including Canadian Jeremy Hansen—farther from Earth than any humans.

SpaceX Starfall Reentry Capsule Debuts, X Report 23 Jun 2026

SpaceX Starfall reentry capsule debuted June 23: the 2,100 kg disk launched on a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral to demo cargo return from orbit.

X Report 2 Jul 2025

SpaceX achieved significant milestones with the launch of its 500th Falcon 9 rocket and the deployment of a European weather satellite, showcasing its ongoing impact in space exploration and satellite technology.

X Report 4 Aug 2025

SpaceX achieves significant milestones with the launch of 28 Starlink satellites and the final landing of the LZ-1 pad, marking key moments in their ongoing mission to expand satellite connectivity.

Atlas 5 551 Flies Last Mission for Amazon Kuiper | KeepTrack Space Brief

ULA launched Atlas 5 551 configuration for final time on July 1, deploying Amazon Kuiper broadband satellites. New Glenn pad rebuild underway at LC-36 after May explosion.

SpaceX Wins $57M Golden Dome Satellite Crosslink Deal | KeepTrack Space Brief

SpaceX secures $57 million military contract for Link-182 satellite crosslink demo supporting Golden Dome missile defense. Also joins software working group.

Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory

Designed for a two-year mission to catch gamma-ray bursts in the act, Swift is now 21 years old, slowly falling out of the sky, and the subject of an unprecedented private rescue mission. Nobody planned for it to be this hard to let go.

The Day Humanity Gained New Eyes on the Sun

Fifteen years ago, NASA launched its most advanced solar observatory, revolutionizing our understanding of our star and transforming space weather prediction