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.
DELTA 2 R/B(2) (22177)
COSPAR: 1992-066C | Alt Name: Delta 215 Stage 3
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 12, 1992
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC17B
Launch Vehicle
Delta 7925
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
22177
International Designator
1992-066C
Epoch
Sun, 28 Jun 2026 08:28:39 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
19.29°
Right Ascension
104.58°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
216.86°
Period
658.35 min
Mean Motion
2.19 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
DELTA 2 R/B(2)
Alternative Name
Delta 215 Stage 3
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
MDAC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 22177U 92066C 26179.35323366 -.00000189 00000-0 00000-0 0 9997
2 22177 19.2887 104.5761 6837468 216.8634 333.5594 2.18729776 49950
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
2.3
Diameter
1.1
Span
2.3
Dry Mass
132
Launch Mass
2141
Shape
Sphere + Cone
Radar Cross Section
3.162
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Star 48B S/N 10078-18
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
THKE
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Star 48
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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Blue Origin's New Glenn Destroyed in Hotfire Anomaly | KeepTrack Space Brief
Blue Origin lost New Glenn during static fire testing at Launch Complex 36. Vehicle sustained serious damage in anomaly. NASA Artemis timeline impacts possible.
SpaceX Accuses Amazon of Debris Violations at FCC | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX filed an FCC complaint against Amazon over orbital debris violations as Starship V3 gets a maiden voyage date and a $178.5M Space Force deal lands.
Space Force Opens Secret Tracking Data to Commercial Firms | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force shares classified tracking data with commercial firms. Falcon 9 reentry linked to upper-atmosphere lithium plume. SpaceX launches 54 Starlink sats in one day.
X Report 11 Feb 2025
SpaceX successfully launches 23 Starlink satellites, NASA selects SpaceX for astrophysics mission, and Starship Flight 8 advances with Booster 15 static fire.
X Report 23 Feb 2025
SpaceX faces a setback with a Falcon 9 upper stage reentry issue, while NASA selects SpaceX for a new mission. Starlink expansions continue with multiple satellite launches.
Space Brief 23 Apr 2025
Today's brief highlights the US Space Force's new space conflict doctrine, Ukraine's search for Starlink alternatives, and updates on regional military activities affecting space dynamics.
Three Chinese Rocket Bodies Exploded, Generating Decades of LEO Debris | KeepTrack Space Brief
Three Chinese rocket bodies have exploded over four years, creating debris clouds that will linger for decades to centuries, according to LeoLabs analysis. Fragmentation events threaten commercial and military operators.