The Rise of Super Heavy-Lift Rockets
Super heavy-lift rockets are the most powerful launch vehicles ever built. They can send humans and cargo to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. But what are they, and why are they so important?
SL-8 R/B (20433)
COSPAR: 1990-004B | Alt Name: Kosmos-3M 61-247 Stage 2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
January 18, 1990
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC133/3
Launch Vehicle
Kosmos 11K65M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
20433
International Designator
1990-004B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:29:48 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
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Inclination
74.04°
Right Ascension
46.62°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
89.90°
Period
100.17 min
Mean Motion
14.38 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-8 R/B
Alternative Name
Kosmos-3M 61-247 Stage 2
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RVSN
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 20433U 90004B 26185.02070550 .00000239 00000-0 87694-4 0 9998
2 20433 74.0357 46.6156 0039039 89.9027 70.1701 14.37551477909308
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
4.2
Diameter
2.4
Span
4.2
Dry Mass
1434
Launch Mass
1434
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
5.304
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
S3M
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
POL
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
S3
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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