Space Brief 11 Feb 2025
Today's highlights include the debut of a new Chinese rocket, a successful Starlink launch, and concerns about Artemis 3. We also cover DoD developments and a notable SpaceX milestone.
SL-12 R/B(2) (18634)
COSPAR: 1987-100D | Alt Name: Blok DM-2 No. 30L
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 10, 1987
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC200/40
Launch Vehicle
Proton-K/DM-2
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
18634
International Designator
1987-100D
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:35:08 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
9.70°
Right Ascension
319.53°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
271.54°
Period
1392.65 min
Mean Motion
1.03 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SL-12 R/B(2)
Alternative Name
Blok DM-2 No. 30L
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RVSN
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 18634U 87100D 26185.14940372 -.00000028 00000-0 00000-0 0 9991
2 18634 9.7021 319.5270 0016731 271.5366 96.7573 1.03399946145650
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
6.3
Diameter
3.7
Span
6.3
Dry Mass
2440
Launch Mass
17490
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
2.5
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
11S861 No. 30L
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
NPOE
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Blok DM
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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