Space Brief 8 May 2025
Today we cover new appointments at NASA, calls for increased Space Force funding, and a successful test of a hypersonic vehicle. Further investigations target SpaceX, and a documentary highlights space superiority.
SL-12 R/B(2) (19777)
COSPAR: 1988-095F | Alt Name: Blok DM-2 No. 40L
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 20, 1988
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC200/39
Launch Vehicle
Proton-K/DM-2
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
19777
International Designator
1988-095F
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:14:41 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
12.70°
Right Ascension
333.64°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
266.81°
Period
1470.30 min
Mean Motion
0.98 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SL-12 R/B(2)
Alternative Name
Blok DM-2 No. 40L
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RVSN
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 19777U 88095F 26185.21853066 -.00000177 00000-0 00000-0 0 9990
2 19777 12.7020 333.6432 0015419 266.8110 101.9990 0.97939488122464
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
2.6743
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
11S861 No. 40L
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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
X Report 21 Jul 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 24 Starlink satellites into polar orbit, enhancing global coverage. Meanwhile, NASA's Crew-11 is now in quarantine ahead of their upcoming ISS mission.
25 Starlinks Lift Off from Vandenberg in Latest Batch | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX launched 25 more Starlink satellites from Vandenberg SFB on March 8, 2026, pushing the active constellation toward 9,914 working spacecraft.
FAA Grounds Starship V3 After Flight 12, X Report 28 May 2026
FAA grounds SpaceX Starship V3 after the Flight 12 mishap, freezing the launch schedule. Plus a $2.29B Space Force contract and 10,397 working Starlinks.
User-Inspired Update
A user suggestion led to the addition of new visualizations for satellites, debris, and unidentified objects across different orbits in KeepTrack.
X Report 27 Oct 2025
SpaceX achieves a significant milestone with over 10,000 satellites launched, the West Coast welcomes Falcon Heavy launches, and developments around Artemis 3 prompt competitive discourse.
Space Brief 21 Nov 2025
Today's brief covers the Space Force's strategic roadmap, a groundbreaking DARPA mission in Very Low Earth Orbit, and enhanced cyber defenses due to AI-driven threats.
Space Brief 29 Oct 2024
Today's space brief covers an impressive SpaceX launch record, China's upcoming crew mission to its space station, an Intelsat 33e debris observation, and more. Key topics include SpaceX's Starship events, ESA's Hera mission updates, and Boeing's potential space division sale.