Project Vanguard
How the U.S. Navy's Vanguard rocket became a Cold War icon, launched the world's oldest satellite still in orbit, and laid the groundwork for NASA's space exploration efforts.
SL-12 R/B(2) (14948)
COSPAR: 1984-022F | Alt Name: Blok DM No. 43L
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 2, 1984
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC200/40
Launch Vehicle
Proton-K/DM
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
14948
International Designator
1984-022F
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:30:53 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
9.43°
Right Ascension
304.76°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
151.23°
Period
1441.75 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SL-12 R/B(2)
Alternative Name
Blok DM No. 43L
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RVSN
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 14948U 84022F 26185.14645704 -.00000212 00000-0 00000-0 0 9991
2 14948 9.4275 304.7581 0022582 151.2286 216.4817 0.99878323161452
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
3.7
Span
6.3
Dry Mass
2440
Launch Mass
17200
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
1.7458
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
11S86 No. 43L
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
NPOE
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Blok DM
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.
X Report 16 Jun 2025
SpaceX progresses with plans for Starship launches from a ULA site while continuing its Starlink expansion. New satellite tracking update enhances user engagement.
NASA Declares MAVEN Dead; Eastern Range Damage Assessment Underway | KeepTrack Space Brief
NASA officially ended the MAVEN Mars orbiter mission after months of radio silence following an anomaly. Space Force assessing Eastern Range damage from separate incident affecting launch cadence.
SpaceX Wins $739M for Nine National Security Launches, FCC Adds 7,500 Starlink Sats | KeepTrack Space Brief
SpaceX awarded $739M for nine national security missions. FCC approves 7,500 additional Starlink satellites. NASA announces early Crew-11 return from ISS due to medical issue.
Space Brief 13 Dec 2024
Today's brief highlights the U.S. Space Force's upcoming modular satellite mission, increased military reliance on commercial space intelligence, and the demand for expanded commercial reserve support. Learn more about these advancements alongside our Satellite Spotlight on Yaogan-30 B.
Space Brief 14 Jul 2025
Today's briefing covers the latest developments in satellite intelligence funding, new mandates affecting space launch and missile defense, and the early conclusion of a private astronaut mission. We also discuss Firefly Aerospace's plans to go public and stunning imagery from NASA's Parker Solar Probe.
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.
X Report 30 Dec 2024
SpaceX wraps up the year with significant launches, including a record-setting Astranis deployment and Starlink missions signaling the year's end.