SL-6 R/B(1) (18947)

COSPAR: 1988-017B | Alt Name: Molniya-1 56-678 Blok-I

DECAYED

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

March 11, 1988

Launch Site

Tyuratam Missile and Space Complex

Launch Pad

LC1

Launch Vehicle

Molniya 8K78M

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

18947

International Designator

1988-017B

Decay Date

4/7/1988

Basic Satellite Info

Name

SL-6 R/B(1)

Alternative Name

Molniya-1 56-678 Blok-I

Type

Rocket Body

Status

Space Junk

Owner

RVSN

Country

USSR

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

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

6.7

Diameter

2.7

Span

6.7

Dry Mass

2350

Launch Mass

2350

Shape

Cyl

Radar Cross Section

34.91

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

11S510

Purpose

Unknown

Mission

Unknown

Manufacturer

PROG

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

Blok-I

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

Unknown

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

Unknown

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory

Designed for a two-year mission to catch gamma-ray bursts in the act, Swift is now 21 years old, slowly falling out of the sky, and the subject of an unprecedented private rescue mission. Nobody planned for it to be this hard to let go.

Trump Nominates Lt. Gen. Schiess as 3rd Space Force Chief | KeepTrack Space Brief

Lt. Gen. Doug Schiess nominated to lead Space Force, becoming the third Chief of Operations since the service's 2019 founding. Pentagon clears 8 firms for classified AI access.

Space Brief 6 Sep 2025

Today's brief covers China's latest experimental launch to GEO and new commercial satellites, insights from hyperspectral imagery on underground structures, and the Space Force's material testing for Mars missions.

Space Brief 14 Jan 2025

Today's brief focuses on Blue Origin's scrubbed New Glenn launch, SpaceX's reusability milestone, and a warning from the US Air Force about China's advancements in space capabilities. We're also highlighting a key satellite in orbit.

Space Brief 26 Aug 2025

Today's space news highlights include U.S. military satellite deployments, innovative AI aboard the Chinese space station, and breakthroughs in interplanetary communications.

SpaceX Starfall Reentry Capsule Makes Debut Flight | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX's secretive Starfall reentry demo launched June 23 as Starmind AI constellation targets 1M orbital compute nodes.

NASA Awards SpaceX 6 More Crew Missions as Boeing Stalls | KeepTrack X Report

NASA is adding 6 post-certification crew missions to SpaceX's contract as Boeing remains unable to certify Starliner for operational flights.

Space Brief 22 May 2025

Today's brief covers strategic alignments in U.S. military space operations, a landmark missile defense program, and advances in secure satellite communications.