Space Brief 21 May 2025
Today's Space Brief covers significant events including a high-stakes missile defense program, recent Chinese satellite launches, military defense initiatives, and key profiles in defense leadership.
H-2 R/B(2) (23523)
COSPAR: 1995-011C | Alt Name: H-II-3F Stage 2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 18, 1995
Launch Site
TANSC
Launch Pad
Y
Launch Vehicle
H-II
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
23523
International Designator
1995-011C
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 14:48:51 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
25.35°
Right Ascension
298.41°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
329.76°
Period
424.09 min
Mean Motion
3.40 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
H-2 R/B(2)
Alternative Name
H-II-3F Stage 2
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
NASDA
Country
Japan
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 23523U 95011C 26184.61726147 .00008830 00000-0 13161-2 0 9999
2 23523 25.3469 298.4054 6455030 329.7647 5.2036 3.39548914334775
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
11
Diameter
4
Span
11
Dry Mass
2700
Launch Mass
3030
Shape
Step Cyl
Radar Cross Section
23.124
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
H-II Stage 2
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
MHITO
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
LE-5A
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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