New Glenn Destroyed After USSF Awards Blue Origin Task Order | KeepTrack Space Brief
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket exploded hours after USSF and NRO awarded national security launch contract. Impact on NSSL competition unclear.
SL-6 R/B(2) (17147)
COSPAR: 1986-091D | Alt Name: Blok-2BL
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
November 20, 1986
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC16/2
Launch Vehicle
Molniya 8K78M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
17147
International Designator
1986-091D
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 07:23:55 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
71.23°
Right Ascension
51.06°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
327.05°
Period
705.91 min
Mean Motion
2.04 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
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Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SL-6 R/B(2)
Alternative Name
Blok-2BL
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RVSN
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 17147U 86091D 26184.30828534 .00000454 00000-0 00000-0 0 9991
2 17147 71.2340 51.0635 5635756 327.0453 8.0049 2.03992052295122
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
5.1778
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Blok-2BL
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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