NROL-179 Starshield Satellites Launch from Vandenberg | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX launched NROL-179 from Vandenberg at 1:50 a.m. PDT June 19, carrying Starshield spy satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office.
ATLAS 2 CENTAUR R/B (21804)
COSPAR: 1991-083B | Alt Name: Centaur AC-102
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 7, 1991
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC36B
Launch Vehicle
Atlas II
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
21804
International Designator
1991-083B
Epoch
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 07:01:15 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
17.24°
Right Ascension
276.39°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
284.83°
Period
753.30 min
Mean Motion
1.91 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ATLAS 2 CENTAUR R/B
Alternative Name
Centaur AC-102
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
GDSSD
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 21804U 91083B 26183.29253997 .00000003 00000+0 -64433-2 0 9997
2 21804 17.2365 276.3930 7339574 284.8306 10.5496 01.91160009241515
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
10.1
Diameter
3.1
Span
10.1
Dry Mass
2095
Launch Mass
2095
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
11.8919
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Centaur II(3) AC-102
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
LMASD
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Centaur
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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