SL-8 R/B (21231)

COSPAR: 1991-029B | Alt Name: Kosmos-3M 48-401 Stage 2

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

April 16, 1991

Launch Site

PLMSC

Launch Pad

LC132/1

Launch Vehicle

Kosmos 11K65M

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

21231

International Designator

1991-029B

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 06:29:18 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

82.95°

Right Ascension

180.62°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

359.44°

Period

104.64 min

Mean Motion

13.76 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 48-401 Stage 2

Type

Rocket Body

Status

Space Junk

Owner

RVSN

Country

USSR

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 21231U 91029B   26185.27035297  .00000075  00000-0  61249-4 0  9995

2 21231  82.9512 180.6191 0035271 359.4364  11.4663 13.76126100767879

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

5.6704

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

S3M

Purpose

Unknown

Mission

Unknown

Manufacturer

POL

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

Unknown

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

Unknown

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map

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