Space Brief 16 Dec 2024
Today's briefing covers the ULA's military application for Vulcan's upper stage, FAA's efforts to expedite launch licensing, and a fascinating flyby of Mercury by BepiColombo.
THOR ABLESTAR DEB (00133)
COSPAR: 1961-015T | Alt Name: Transit 4A despin weight
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
June 29, 1961
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC17B
Launch Vehicle
Thor Ablestar
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
00133
International Designator
1961-015T
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 06:09:25 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
67.11°
Right Ascension
176.26°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
129.94°
Period
101.19 min
Mean Motion
14.23 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
THOR ABLESTAR DEB
Alternative Name
Transit 4A despin weight
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
BUWEPS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 00133U 61015T 26185.25654184 .00000704 00000-0 34417-3 0 9990
2 00133 67.1126 176.2629 0044851 129.9433 230.5619 14.23059228335911
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
0.6005
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Unknown
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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