The Day America Entered the Space Age
Sixty-seven years ago, a slender rocket carried America's first satellite into orbit, discovering a mysterious feature of our planet that would change our understanding of space forever
SL-8 DEB (12151)
COSPAR: 1981-006C | Alt Name: deb Kosmos-1241
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
January 21, 1981
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC132/1
Launch Vehicle
Kosmos 11K65M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
12151
International Designator
1981-006C
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:37:32 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
65.82°
Right Ascension
3.85°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
122.46°
Period
104.80 min
Mean Motion
13.74 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
SL-8 DEB
Alternative Name
deb Kosmos-1241
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
PKO
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 12151U 81006C 26185.23440019 -.00000045 00000-0 37872-4 0 9991
2 12151 65.8240 3.8464 0004905 122.4579 50.4979 13.74091316279164
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
0.5112
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
DS-P1-M part [RCS 0.50]
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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