The Day That Changed How We Navigate Forever
Forty-seven years ago, an Atlas rocket carried the first GPS satellite into orbit, launching a revolution in navigation that would transform daily life across the globe
SL-12 R/B(2) (19754)
COSPAR: 1989-001F | Alt Name: Blok DM-2 No. 42L
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
January 10, 1989
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC200/39
Launch Vehicle
Proton-K/DM-2
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
19754
International Designator
1989-001F
Epoch
Mon, 29 Jun 2026 13:05:05 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
64.97°
Right Ascension
70.38°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
236.99°
Period
674.72 min
Mean Motion
2.13 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. 42L
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RVSN
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 19754U 89001F 26180.54520617 -.00000029 00000-0 00000-0 0 9993
2 19754 64.9743 70.3788 0015167 236.9869 301.2667 2.13421299291962
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
1.517
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
11S861 No. 42L
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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