Space Brief 18 Mar 2025
Today's Space Brief covers the reentry of Firefly's Blue Ghost moon lander, a compelling study on space debris exacerbated by climate change, and new advancements from the Vera Rubin Observatory.
SL-12 DEB (21623)
COSPAR: 1987-036L | Alt Name: deb Unknown (Oko)
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
April 24, 1987
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC200/40
Launch Vehicle
Proton-K/DM-2
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
21623
International Designator
1987-036L
Epoch
Thu, 21 Oct 2021 23:14:02 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
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Inclination
62.73°
Right Ascension
142.28°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
244.13°
Period
162.48 min
Mean Motion
8.86 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SL-12 DEB
Alternative Name
deb Unknown (Oko)
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RVSN
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 21623U 87036L 21293.96808160 .00001126 00000-0 70861-3 0 9998
2 21623 62.7342 142.2841 3038383 244.1303 81.6820 8.86256666963317
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
0.0077
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
[UNID143] RCS 0.02
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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