Space Brief 5 Oct 2025
Today's brief covers significant advancements in national security space launches, ongoing rocket developments, and critical updates from the space industry.
SCOUT A R/B (01953)
COSPAR: 1966-005B | Alt Name: Scout S142C Stage 4
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
January 28, 1966
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
PALC-D
Launch Vehicle
Scout A
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
01953
International Designator
1966-005B
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 10:10:38 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
90.14°
Right Ascension
352.87°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
135.58°
Period
105.49 min
Mean Motion
13.65 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SCOUT A R/B
Alternative Name
Scout S142C Stage 4
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
LARCN
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 01953U 66005B 26184.42405708 .00000128 00000-0 11991-3 0 9991
2 01953 90.1445 352.8676 0228697 135.5847 226.3908 13.65080912 5108
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
1.5
Diameter
0.5
Span
1.5
Dry Mass
33
Launch Mass
33
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
0.566
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Altair 2 X-258E6 RH-116
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
ABL
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Altair
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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