Space Brief 24 Apr 2025
Today's brief covers South Korea's fourth spy satellite launch, potential changes in drone deployment strategies by the US Air Force, and the largest-ever spectrum-sharing demonstration set by the Pentagon.
SL-6 R/B(2) (19557)
COSPAR: 1988-092D | Alt Name: Blok-2BL No. 78
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 3, 1988
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC41/1
Launch Vehicle
Molniya 8K78M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
19557
International Designator
1988-092D
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 10:41:38 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
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Inclination
69.31°
Right Ascension
98.65°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
38.29°
Period
705.42 min
Mean Motion
2.04 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-6 R/B(2)
Alternative Name
Blok-2BL No. 78
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RVSN
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 19557U 88092D 26184.44558701 -.00000204 00000-0 00000-0 0 9996
2 19557 69.3147 98.6468 5686586 38.2892 89.1448 2.04133456281379
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
3.3
Diameter
2.3
Span
3.3
Dry Mass
900
Launch Mass
4500
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
5.8307
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Blok-2BL No. 78
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
NPOE
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Blok-L
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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