DELTA 1 R/B(2) (13940)

COSPAR: 1979-072C | Alt Name: Delta 149 Stage 3
DECAYED

Image
DELTA 1 R/B(2) Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

August 10, 1979

Launch Pad

LC17A

Launch Vehicle

Delta 2914

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

13940

International Designator

1979-072C

Decay Date

6/13/1994

Basic Satellite Info

Name

DELTA 1 R/B(2)

Alternative Name

Delta 149 Stage 3

Type

Rocket Body

Status

Space Junk

Owner

GSFC

Country

United States

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

1.7

Diameter

0.9

Span

1.7

Dry Mass

83

Launch Mass

1123

Shape

Sphere + Cone

Radar Cross Section

2.9633

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Star 37E S/N 40083

Purpose

Unknown

Mission

Unknown

Manufacturer

THKE

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

Star 37

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.

Vulcan Booster Anomaly Under Scrutiny After USSF-87 Launch | KeepTrack Space Brief

Vulcan Booster Anomaly Under Scrutiny After USSF-87 Launch | KeepTrack Space Brief

ULA Vulcan faces scrutiny after solid booster anomaly on USSF-87 mission. ThinKom wins portable satellite ground station contract. Space Force starts Project Hecate for GPS past 2040.

The Day the Dyna-Soar Dream Died

The Day the Dyna-Soar Dream Died

Exactly 62 years ago, Defense Secretary Robert McNamara ended the X-20 Dyna-Soar program, canceling one of the most ambitious spaceplane projects of the early Space Race - a vehicle that could have put aircraft in orbit decades before the Space Shuttle.

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.

X Report 8 Apr 2025

X Report 8 Apr 2025

SpaceX announces massive contract awards, advances Starship reusability, and continues to dominate with Starlink deployments.

X Report 14 Mar 2025

X Report 14 Mar 2025

SpaceX advances pre-launch tests amid Starlink deployment surge and strategic expansions in Texas.

Space Brief 18 May 2025

Space Brief 18 May 2025

Today's briefing highlights recent launches and failures, including an Indian radar satellite setback, successful Rocket Lab missions, and China's debut of upgraded rocket technology.

Largest Satellite Debris Events

Largest Satellite Debris Events

Space debris poses a mounting threat to both satellites and space missions. As we send more objects into orbit, the likelihood of collisions and subsequent breakups producing dangerous space debris increases. Recognizing the major events that have generated this dangerous space junk is pivotal in ensuring the safety of future space missions.

MDA Space Buys Blue Canyon for $620M, Space Brief 20 Jun 2026

MDA Space Buys Blue Canyon for $620M, Space Brief 20 Jun 2026

MDA Space acquires Blue Canyon Technologies for $620 million, and NASA's 2028 Aeolus Mars orbiter goes to a California startup instead of SpaceX.