X Report 11 Sep 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 21 military satellites, marking a key achievement in national security efforts, while preparations continue for the upcoming NASA mission and insights emerge from the Starship development process.
NATO 4A R/B [PAM-D] (21049)
COSPAR: 1991-001C | Alt Name: Delta 202 Stage 3
Image
![NATO 4A R/B [PAM-D] Satellite Image](/images/sat/rocket2.jpg)
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
January 8, 1991
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC17B
Launch Vehicle
Delta 7925
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
21049
International Designator
1991-001C
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 21:37:31 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
26.04°
Right Ascension
336.90°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
217.50°
Period
635.56 min
Mean Motion
2.27 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
NATO 4A R/B [PAM-D]
Alternative Name
Delta 202 Stage 3
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
MDAC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 21049U 91001C 26184.90105410 -.00000151 00000-0 -31813-2 0 9995
2 21049 26.0421 336.8960 7071537 217.5019 112.0097 2.26572717293691
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
2.3
Diameter
1.1
Span
2.3
Dry Mass
132
Launch Mass
2141
Shape
Sphere + Cone
Radar Cross Section
2.844
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Star 48B S/N 10064-18
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
THKE
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Star 48
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 19 Dec 2025
A partial breakup incident involving a Starlink satellite raised concerns, while SpaceX continued its ambitious projects and launches.
Artemis 2 Delayed by Upper Stage Issue, Falcon 9 Hits 33rd Flight | KeepTrack Space Brief
NASA delays Artemis 2 for SLS upper stage fix and pad rollback. SpaceX Falcon 9 booster shatters reuse record with 33rd flight. Tory Bruno joins Blue Origin for defense work.
Space Brief 18 Apr 2025
Today's highlights include a Minotaur IV launch of U.S. spy satellites, Rocket Lab's new defense contracts, and the unveiling of Space Force's warfighting framework. Plus, the Satellite Spotlight dives into METEOR 3-1.
Space Object Catalog
The master ledger of everything orbiting Earth: how tens of thousands of satellites, rocket bodies, and debris fragments are tracked and numbered
X Report 29 Aug 2025
SpaceX celebrates a record-breaking Falcon 9 launch while Starship demonstrates strong performance in its recent test flight, fueling excitement for upcoming projects.
X Report 10 Mar 2025
SpaceX plans first Starship launch from Florida, and prepares for NASA’s SPHEREx and PUNCH missions from Vandenberg.
SpaceX to Lower 4,400 Starlink Satellite Orbits for Space Safety | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX plans to lower orbits of 4,400 Starlink satellites after two collision-concern incidents. Cosmo-SkyMed Earth observation satellite launched for Italy from Vandenberg.