The Day a Jupiter-Bound Spacecraft Traveled Past Venus
Thirty-five years ago, NASA's Galileo spacecraft made a crucial flyby of Venus, pioneering a complex path through the inner solar system that would revolutionize planetary exploration
SL-6 R/B(2) (16186)
COSPAR: 1985-098D | Alt Name: Blok-2BL 26-664
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 22, 1985
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC43/4
Launch Vehicle
Molniya 8K78M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
16186
International Designator
1985-098D
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 15:47:10 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
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Inclination
71.41°
Right Ascension
6.74°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
342.04°
Period
707.94 min
Mean Motion
2.03 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
SL-6 R/B(2)
Alternative Name
Blok-2BL 26-664
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RVSN
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 16186U 85098D 26184.65776035 .00000046 00000-0 00000-0 0 9992
2 16186 71.4083 6.7430 5589709 342.0419 234.4783 2.03406710302170
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
3.3
Diameter
2.3
Span
3.3
Dry Mass
900
Launch Mass
4500
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
4.9809
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Blok-2BL No. 71626-664
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
NPOE
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Blok-L
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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