Space Brief 28 Mar 2025
Today's updates focus on significant developments in U.S. national security space launches, Army space training, potential shifts in satellite procurement strategies, and the Meteor 2-21 satellite.
ATLAS AGENA D R/B (02144)
COSPAR: 1966-031B | Alt Name: Agena D 6703
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
April 8, 1966
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC12
Launch Vehicle
Atlas SLV-3 Agena D
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
02144
International Designator
1966-031B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:11:01 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
35.04°
Right Ascension
245.60°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
153.75°
Period
99.66 min
Mean Motion
14.45 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
ATLAS AGENA D R/B
Alternative Name
Agena D 6703
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
LERC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 02144U 66031B 26185.13265757 .00000294 00000-0 88605-4 0 9991
2 02144 35.0402 245.5973 0007645 153.7454 206.3626 14.44964550165226
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
6.3
Diameter
1.5
Span
6.3
Dry Mass
769
Launch Mass
769
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
6.0394
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Agena D 6703
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
LMSC
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Agena D
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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