Space Brief 8 Dec 2025
Today's edition covers SpaceX scrubbing and successfully launching Starlink satellites, AI innovations in spacecraft propulsion, and the impact of SPHERE's debris disk survey in discovering hidden asteroid belts.
DELTA 1 DEB (18302)
COSPAR: 1978-026HD | Alt Name: deb Delta 139
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 5, 1978
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC2W
Launch Vehicle
Delta 2910
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
18302
International Designator
1978-026HD
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:03:42 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
98.88°
Right Ascension
270.94°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
117.05°
Period
104.24 min
Mean Motion
13.81 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
DELTA 1 DEB
Alternative Name
deb Delta 139
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 18302U 78026HD 26185.21090591 .00000758 00000-0 60574-3 0 9991
2 18302 98.8839 270.9397 0236709 117.0504 273.9270 13.81389484 75509
Source: Celestrak
Summary
Space debris, also known as space junk, encompasses all non-functional objects orbiting Earth such as defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from collisions or disintegrations. Over time, this debris can accumulate and create an increasingly hazardous environment in orbit. Even tiny fragments, traveling at extremely high velocities, can inflict significant damage on operational satellites and spacecraft. If left unmanaged, the density of debris raises the risk of catastrophic collisions and further fragmentation, compounding the problem and threatening the safety and sustainability of space activities.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0
Diameter
0
Span
0
Dry Mass
0
Launch Mass
0
Shape
N/A
Radar Cross Section
0.0083
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Unknown
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
Unknown
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Unknown
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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