Space Brief 17 Jun 2025
Today's space brief covers key developments in satellite monitoring, U.K. defense contracts, and critical licensing reforms supporting national security.
TITAN 34B R/B (12446)
COSPAR: 1981-038B | Alt Name: Agena D
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
April 24, 1981
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC4W
Launch Vehicle
Titan 34B
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
12446
International Designator
1981-038B
Epoch
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 08:46:31 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
63.21°
Right Ascension
267.69°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
290.95°
Period
306.88 min
Mean Motion
4.69 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
TITAN 34B R/B
Alternative Name
Agena D
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
AFSD
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 12446U 81038B 26183.36564695 .00002469 00000-0 77045-3 0 9998
2 12446 63.2055 267.6929 5549626 290.9516 19.9058 4.69242977 96726
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
6.3
Diameter
1.5
Span
6.3
Dry Mass
600
Launch Mass
600
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Agena D
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
LMSC
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Agena D
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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Shotwell Details xAI Power Pledge at White House | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell joined Trump at the White House to outline xAI's energy commitment, while Transporter-18 targets October 2026 launch.
Version 10.0.0 Release Notes
The latest update introduces 3D satellite FOV cones, advanced sensor capabilities, and enhanced timelines, improving the way users interact with satellite data.
Space Brief 12 Nov 2025
Today's brief covers China's ongoing assessments following a potential debris strike on Shenzhou-20, SpaceX's record-breaking Starlink launch, Rocket Lab's delay of the Neutron rocket, and more.
Space Brief 5 Jul 2025
Today's space highlights include China's first classified Shiyan-28B launch, Boeing's major satellite contract, new NASA budget allocations, and plans for shuttle Discovery's relocation.
Hayabusa | The Crippled Falcon That Carried an Asteroid Home
Sixteen years ago today, a fireball tore across the Australian outback. Most of it was a dying Japanese spacecraft burning up after a seven-year ordeal. The bright dot racing ahead of the wreckage was a capsule holding the first grains of an asteroid ever returned to Earth.
SpaceX Wins $2.29B Space Force LEO Comms Contract | KeepTrack Space Brief
SpaceX awarded $2.29 billion to build Space Force's LEO communications backbone, integrating with SDA Transport layer satellites for military tactical data relay through space.
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.