First Nuclear-Powered Commercial Satellite Flies on Transporter-17 | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX's Transporter-17 rideshare carried 81 payloads including history's first nuclear-powered commercial satellite on July 7.
ATLAS 55E R/B (16137)
COSPAR: 1985-093B | Alt Name: SGS-II
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 9, 1985
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC3W
Launch Vehicle
Atlas E/SGS-2
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
16137
International Designator
1985-093B
Epoch
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 11:52:52 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
64.23°
Right Ascension
70.25°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
327.56°
Period
368.32 min
Mean Motion
3.91 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ATLAS 55E R/B
Alternative Name
SGS-II
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
AFSD
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 16137U 85093B 26183.49505047 .00000015 00000-0 00000-0 0 9993
2 16137 64.2346 70.2527 5426719 327.5610 8.4662 3.90968684581661
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
Diameter
1.4
Span
2
Dry Mass
246
Launch Mass
2246
Shape
Ell + Cone
Radar Cross Section
2.1807
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Star 48 S/N 10022-9
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
THKE
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Star 48
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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