Space Brief 1 Dec 2025
Today's brief covers China's latest classified satellite launch, breakups in orbital refueling experiments, exciting advancements in microsatellites, and SpaceX's remarkable strides in spaceflight.
IABS R/B (21877)
COSPAR: 1992-006C | Alt Name: IABS-1
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
February 11, 1992
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC36A
Launch Vehicle
Atlas II
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
21877
International Designator
1992-006C
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 08:40:32 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
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Inclination
7.45°
Right Ascension
321.39°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
104.40°
Period
1299.78 min
Mean Motion
1.11 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
IABS R/B
Alternative Name
IABS-1
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
AFSSD2
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 21877U 92006C 26184.36149145 -.00000136 00000-0 00000-0 0 9997
2 21877 7.4536 321.3874 0659703 104.4026 263.1325 1.10787809 28055
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
0.7
Diameter
2.9
Span
2.9
Dry Mass
270
Launch Mass
1488
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
IABS-1
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
GEVF
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
R-4D
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
R-4D-12 x2
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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