SL-4 R/B (12882)

COSPAR: 1981-099B | Alt Name: Soyuz-U 39-427 Blok-I
DECAYED

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

Launch Date

October 1, 1981

Launch Pad

LC31

Launch Vehicle

Soyuz-U

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

12882

International Designator

1981-099B

Decay Date

10/5/1981

Basic Satellite Info

Name

SL-4 R/B

Alternative Name

Soyuz-U 39-427 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.

The Day Humanity's First Modular Space Station Reached Orbit

The Day Humanity's First Modular Space Station Reached Orbit

Thirty-nine years ago, a Proton rocket carried the core of the Mir space station into orbit, launching an unprecedented era of continuous human presence in space and international cooperation

X Report 16 Apr 2025

X Report 16 Apr 2025

SpaceX gears up for another busy week with a Falcon 9 launch to the ISS while Vast Space expands its Haven-1 payload roster.

X Report 28 Apr 2025

X Report 28 Apr 2025

SpaceX marks a milestone with its 250th Starlink mission, continuing to expand its broadband satellite network.

Space Brief 1 Nov 2024

Space Brief 1 Nov 2024

Today's update highlights Boeing's challenges with the Starliner, Europe's IRIS2 constellation advancement, China's CAS Space's global ambitions, and vivid new telescope images of cosmic events.

Artemis II

Artemis II

Four astronauts, a patched-together heat shield, and a $50 billion question: whether NASA can still send humans beyond low Earth orbit. Tomorrow, we find out.

X Report 12 Nov 2025

X Report 12 Nov 2025

SpaceX breaks records with its 94th launch of the year while planning to ramp up Starship production to unprecedented levels.

X Report 13 Feb 2025

X Report 13 Feb 2025

SpaceX and NASA swap Crew Dragon for Crew-10 mission; exciting 'space jellyfish' phenomena from recent launch.

Space Brief 7 Jul 2025

Space Brief 7 Jul 2025

Today's key topics include the halting of the U.S. Air Force's rocket landing pad plans, the Space Force's shift to a flexible satellite strategy, delays in Australia's Eris 1 rocket launch, and the controversial cut of satellite sea-ice data to climate scientists.