ESA Buys Dedicated Crew Dragon Mission for 4 Astronauts | KeepTrack X Report
ESA is purchasing a dedicated SpaceX Crew Dragon flight to send 4 European astronauts to the ISS ahead of the station's planned retirement.
DELTA 1 R/B(2) (17563)
COSPAR: 1987-022C | Alt Name: Delta 179 Stage 3
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
February 26, 1987
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC17A
Launch Vehicle
Delta 3924
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
17563
International Designator
1987-022C
Epoch
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 09:16:28 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
18.00°
Right Ascension
28.71°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
267.90°
Period
358.67 min
Mean Motion
4.01 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
DELTA 1 R/B(2)
Alternative Name
Delta 179 Stage 3
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 17563U 87022C 26183.38643756 .00002090 00000-0 89099-3 0 9992
2 17563 18.0001 28.7068 5992425 267.9024 26.7428 4.01479152400298
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
1.7
Diameter
0.9
Span
1.7
Dry Mass
83
Launch Mass
1123
Shape
Sphere + Cone
Radar Cross Section
2.3737
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Star 37E S/N 40105
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
THKE
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Star 37
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.
SpaceX Hits 50 Launches, Falcon Heavy Scrub, X Report 28 Apr 2026
SpaceX hit 50 launches in 2026 on April 26. Falcon Heavy's ViaSat-3 mission, only its 12th flight, scrubbed on weather at Kennedy; new date pending.
X Report 3 Dec 2025
SpaceX completes multiple successful launches, enhancing its Starlink constellation with new satellites while resolving personnel issues related to Crew 12.
Starship Flight 12 Targets May 19 with Redesigned Ship | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX targets May 19 for Starship Flight 12 debut, while CRS-34 delivers 6,500 lbs of cargo to ISS aboard a Falcon 9.
X Report 27 Sep 2025
SpaceX continues to make strides in both its Starship program and Starlink satellite deployments, with a successful launch of 24 Starlink satellites and preparations for upcoming missions.
Space Brief 17 Jan 2025
Today's brief covers developments involving Space Force officials, Sierra Space's satellite milestone, and Voyager Space's rebranding for national security focus. Additionally, we spotlight the Cosmos 447 satellite.
X Report 4 Mar 2025
SpaceX faces a series of challenges with scrubbing the Starship Flight 8 launch and losing a Falcon 9 booster post-landing, while successfully deploying new Starlink satellites.
Space Brief 12 May 2025
Today's brief covers key industry movements in space logistics and satellite production, including Rocket Lab's new U.S. Air Force contract, Sierra Space's strides in GPS technology, and more.