Space Brief 6 Dec 2024
Today's brief covers various military applications of climate-monitoring satellites, new defense strategies against unmanned threats, and the potential impacts of geopolitical tensions on orbit.
CZ-4 DEB (20887)
COSPAR: 1990-081AX | Alt Name: deb CZ-4 Y2 Stage 3
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
September 3, 1990
Launch Site
TAISC
Launch Pad
LC7
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 4
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
20887
International Designator
1990-081AX
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:02:00 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
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Inclination
98.41°
Right Ascension
196.48°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
105.17°
Period
99.09 min
Mean Motion
14.53 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
CZ-4 DEB
Alternative Name
deb CZ-4 Y2 Stage 3
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
MAI2
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 20887U 90081AX 26185.00139389 .00004080 00000-0 99395-3 0 9998
2 20887 98.4063 196.4801 0019368 105.1695 283.5760 14.53156632862047
Source: Celestrak
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
0.1046
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
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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