The Day America Pioneered Polar Orbits
Sixty-six years ago, a Thor-Agena rocket thundered into the California sky carrying Discoverer 1, the first satellite attempt at polar orbit and the secret vanguard of Americas space reconnaissance program
SL-14 R/B (22627)
COSPAR: 1993-024B | Alt Name: Tsiklon-3 27-908 Stage 3
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
April 16, 1993
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC32/1
Launch Vehicle
Tsiklon-3
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
22627
International Designator
1993-024B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:39:59 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
82.52°
Right Ascension
269.22°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
322.18°
Period
97.29 min
Mean Motion
14.80 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-14 R/B
Alternative Name
Tsiklon-3 27-908 Stage 3
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
VKS
Country
Russia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 22627U 93024B 26185.19443762 .00000362 00000-0 44491-4 0 9992
2 22627 82.5217 269.2224 0021577 322.1839 37.7857 14.80167583790391
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
2.8
Diameter
2.2
Span
2.8
Dry Mass
1600
Launch Mass
1600
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
4.4599
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
S5M
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
YUZHUA
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
S5M
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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