X Report 9 Dec 2024
SpaceX's latest Starlink satellite launch boosts their constellation and Starship development progresses steadily.
SL-6 R/B(2) (12940)
COSPAR: 1981-108D | Alt Name: Blok-L
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 31, 1981
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC16/2
Launch Vehicle
Molniya 8K78M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
12940
International Designator
1981-108D
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:06:07 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
65.53°
Right Ascension
245.85°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
345.65°
Period
723.30 min
Mean Motion
1.99 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SL-6 R/B(2)
Alternative Name
Blok-L
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RVSN
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 12940U 81108D 26185.21258703 .00000265 00000-0 00000-0 0 9997
2 12940 65.5350 245.8521 6735208 345.6454 2.3075 1.99087762324882
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
2.7
Diameter
2.5
Span
2.7
Dry Mass
900
Launch Mass
5000
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
5.229
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Blok-L
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
NPOE
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Blok-L
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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