TITAN 4 R/B (21148)

COSPAR: 1991-017B | Alt Name: Titan 45K-5 Stage 2

DECAYED

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

March 8, 1991

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC4E

Launch Vehicle

Titan 403A

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

21148

International Designator

1991-017B

Decay Date

1/9/1999

Basic Satellite Info

Name

TITAN 4 R/B

Alternative Name

Titan 45K-5 Stage 2

Type

Rocket Body

Status

Space Junk

Owner

AFSSD2

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

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

9.9

Diameter

3.1

Span

9.9

Dry Mass

4500

Launch Mass

4500

Shape

Cyl

Radar Cross Section

25.2057

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

LR91AJ11A 45K-5

Purpose

Unknown

Mission

Unknown

Manufacturer

MMD

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

Titan 4 Stage 2

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 Wins $178.5M Space Force Missile Tracking Contract | KeepTrack Space Brief

SpaceX awarded $178.5M Space Force contract for missile tracking satellite launches beginning 2027. Pentagon also extends GPS modernization support with $45M Raytheon order.

Firefly Alpha Returns to Flight After Anomaly | KeepTrack Space Brief

Firefly Aerospace launches return-to-flight Firefly Alpha on March 10 after Flight 6 anomaly. SpaceX also launches EchoStar 25 GEO satellite and multiple Starlink batches this week.

ULA Launches 29 Amazon Kuiper Satellites; Falcon Heavy Returns | KeepTrack Space Brief

ULA's Atlas V deployed 29 Amazon Kuiper LEO satellites on April 27. Falcon Heavy returns this week with ViaSat-3 F3. Six orbital launches scheduled across three continents.

The Satellite That Found 22 Photons and Changed Astronomy

On April 27, 1961, a Scout rocket lifted a 37-kilogram NASA satellite into orbit from Wallops Island carrying the first serious instrument for detecting cosmic gamma rays. Explorer 11 operated for seven months before its tape recorder failed. In that time it registered 22 gamma-ray photons - a pitiful number by modern standards, but enough to launch an entire branch of astronomy.

X Report 17 Nov 2025

SpaceX successfully launched the Sentinel-6B satellite, marking a significant milestone as its 500th mission with a reused rocket, furthering global sea level monitoring efforts.

X Report 9 Apr 2025

SpaceX makes strides with new GPS and Starlink launches while securing major U.S. government contracts.

Space Brief 24 Dec 2025

Today's highlights include the successes and setbacks in recent rocket launches, a notable satellite anomaly, and a significant expansion announcement from ESA.

Space Brief 6 Aug 2025

Highlights of today's Space Brief include advancements in missile defense systems, a historic lunar project by NASA, and strategic military investments in satellite technology.