SL-4 R/B (12401)

COSPAR: 1981-035B | Alt Name: Soyuz-U 53-482 Blok-I
DECAYED

Image
SL-4 R/B Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

April 15, 1981

Launch Pad

LC31

Launch Vehicle

Soyuz-U

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

12401

International Designator

1981-035B

Decay Date

4/23/1981

Basic Satellite Info

Name

SL-4 R/B

Alternative Name

Soyuz-U 53-482 Blok-I

Type

Rocket Body

Status

Space Junk

Owner

RVSN

Country

USSR

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

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

6.7

Diameter

2.7

Span

6.7

Dry Mass

2350

Launch Mass

2350

Shape

Cyl

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

11S510

Purpose

Unknown

Mission

Unknown

Manufacturer

PROG

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

Blok-I

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

Unknown

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

Unknown

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

Starlink Mobile US Plan, Ship 40 Static Fire, X Report 27 Jun 2026

Starlink Mobile US Plan, Ship 40 Static Fire, X Report 27 Jun 2026

Starlink mobile service is planned for the US as SpaceX fires Ship 40's single Raptor in a prelaunch test, with 10,689 Starlink satellites working.

Artemis 2 Targets April 1 Lunar Flyby with 4-Person Crew | KeepTrack Space Brief

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.

Space Brief 25 Mar 2025

Space Brief 25 Mar 2025

Today's brief covers SpaceX's launch of a secret US spy satellite, national security satellite launches, and Japan's missile ambitions. Also highlighted are Estonia's AI defense upgrades and autonomous airpower in Australia.

SpaceX Lands $2.29B Space Force Contract, X Report 27 May 2026

SpaceX Lands $2.29B Space Force Contract, X Report 27 May 2026

SpaceX wins a $2.29 billion US Space Force contract for a military space data network, NASA adds 6 crew missions, and Starship V3 makes its first flight.

SpaceX Targets 600th Falcon Booster Landing, X Report 19 Apr 2026

SpaceX Targets 600th Falcon Booster Landing, X Report 19 Apr 2026

SpaceX targets its 600th Falcon 9 booster landing on Starlink 17-22, lofting 25 satellites from Vandenberg. Plus a 2028 SpaceX ride for ESA's Mars rover.

Space Brief 16 Sep 2024

Space Brief 16 Sep 2024

Highlights of the day include the Polaris Dawn mission's splashdown, advances in space traffic management, and intriguing astronomy insights from the cloud's edge.

The Looming Crisis of Orbital Debris

The Looming Crisis of Orbital Debris

As humanity increasingly relies on satellites, the escalating space junk problem poses a dire threat to our space-based infrastructure. With debris counts reaching alarming levels, urgent action is needed to prevent a cascade of collisions that could make key orbits unusable.

SpaceX Starfall Secret Capsule Targets Space Manufacturing | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX Starfall Secret Capsule Targets Space Manufacturing | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX's disk-shaped Starfall reentry vehicle debuts as the constellation hits 10,671 working satellites across low Earth orbit.