The Day America Pioneered Polar Orbits
Sixty-six years ago, a Thor-Agena rocket thundered into the California sky carrying Discoverer 1, the first satellite attempt at polar orbit and the secret vanguard of Americas space reconnaissance program
SL-8 R/B (15625)
COSPAR: 1985-023J | Alt Name: Kosmos-3M 34-134 Stage 2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 21, 1985
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC132/2
Launch Vehicle
Kosmos 11K65M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
15625
International Designator
1985-023J
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:59:39 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
74.06°
Right Ascension
0.13°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
49.59°
Period
118.04 min
Mean Motion
12.20 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SL-8 R/B
Alternative Name
Kosmos-3M 34-134 Stage 2
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RVSN
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 15625U 85023J 26185.20809818 .00000046 00000-0 56188-3 0 9996
2 15625 74.0564 0.1262 0146124 49.5931 122.1744 12.19914923718690
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
4.2
Diameter
2.4
Span
4.2
Dry Mass
1434
Launch Mass
1434
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
5.6998
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
S3M
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
OAZ
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
S3
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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