The Day America Pioneered Polar Orbits
Sixty-six years ago, a Thor-Agena rocket thundered into the California sky carrying Discoverer 1, the first satellite attempt at polar orbit and the secret vanguard of Americas space reconnaissance program
DELTA 1 DEB (21269)
COSPAR: 1975-052E | Alt Name: deb Delta 111
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
June 12, 1975
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC2W
Launch Vehicle
Delta 2910
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
21269
International Designator
1975-052E
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:01:50 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
99.72°
Right Ascension
54.81°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
337.24°
Period
108.78 min
Mean Motion
13.24 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
DELTA 1 DEB
Alternative Name
deb Delta 111
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 21269U 75052E 26185.08460900 .00000069 00000-0 24966-3 0 9993
2 21269 99.7172 54.8076 0118422 337.2427 180.9211 13.23740996697753
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
0.0995
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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