The Day America's Spy Satellites Gained New Eyes
Sixty-three years ago, a Thor-Agena rocket launched the first dual-camera reconnaissance satellite, revolutionizing space-based intelligence while hiding behind the final use of a famous cover name
MIR DEB (20475)
COSPAR: 1986-017CH | Alt Name: EO-5 EVA-5 debris
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
February 19, 1986
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC1
Launch Vehicle
Soyuz-U
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
20475
International Designator
1986-017CH
Decay Date
2/7/1990
Basic Satellite Info
Name
MIR DEB
Alternative Name
EO-5 EVA-5 debris
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
NPOE
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
Space debris, also known as space junk, encompasses all non-functional objects orbiting Earth such as defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from collisions or disintegrations. Over time, this debris can accumulate and create an increasingly hazardous environment in orbit. Even tiny fragments, traveling at extremely high velocities, can inflict significant damage on operational satellites and spacecraft. If left unmanaged, the density of debris raises the risk of catastrophic collisions and further fragmentation, compounding the problem and threatening the safety and sustainability of space activities.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0
Diameter
0
Span
0
Dry Mass
0
Launch Mass
0
Shape
N/A
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Unknown
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
Unknown
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Unknown
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
SpaceX Postpones Falcon Heavy Launch Carrying Secretive X-37B Spaceplane
SpaceX delays the much-anticipated Falcon Heavy launch of the secretive X-37B military spaceplane, marking a significant moment in space exploration and military technology.
Space Brief 18 Aug 2025
Today's Space Brief covers significant satellite launches by SpaceX, an automated collision avoidance system development, Rocket Lab's strategic acquisition, and the rise of corporate-named satellites in orbit.
The Day We First Landed on Venus
On December 15, 1970, a battered Soviet probe accomplished something no spacecraft had done before - it survived landing on another world and lived to tell about it.
Space Brief 31 Dec 2025
Notable space events as the year closes: China's record orbital launches, Vandenberg's new launch site, Rocket Lab's achievements, and urgent MAVEN recovery efforts.
X Report 2 Jun 2025
SpaceX delays the launch of 23 Starlink satellites due to geomagnetic storm concerns, adjusting the schedule for an upcoming Falcon 9 mission.
Three Chinese Rocket Bodies Exploded, Generating Decades of LEO Debris | KeepTrack Space Brief
Three Chinese rocket bodies have exploded over four years, creating debris clouds that will linger for decades to centuries, according to LeoLabs analysis. Fragmentation events threaten commercial and military operators.
Starlink Satellites Dominate Earth's Orbit
SpaceX's Starlink constellation has grown at an astonishing rate, now accounting for over 20% of all trackable objects in orbit. With plans for tens of thousands more, Starlink is on the cusp of forever changing the landscape of Earth's near-space environment.