The Day America Entered the Space Age
Sixty-seven years ago, a slender rocket carried America's first satellite into orbit, discovering a mysterious feature of our planet that would change our understanding of space forever
SL-16 DEB (22609)
COSPAR: 1993-016T | Alt Name: deb 11S772
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 26, 1993
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC45/1
Launch Vehicle
Zenit-2
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
22609
International Designator
1993-016T
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:03:41 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
70.99°
Right Ascension
80.16°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
147.00°
Period
103.65 min
Mean Motion
13.89 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
SL-16 DEB
Alternative Name
deb 11S772
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RVSNR
Country
Russia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 22609U 93016T 26185.12756836 .00000370 00000-0 31591-3 0 9990
2 22609 70.9920 80.1572 0134743 147.0012 2.7189 13.89345760682445
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
0.0264
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Unknown
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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