ATLAS 2A CENTAUR R/B (23840)

COSPAR: 1996-020B | Alt Name: Centaur AC-122

Image
ATLAS 2A CENTAUR R/B Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

April 3, 1996

Launch Pad

LC36A

Launch Vehicle

Atlas IIA

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

23840

International Designator

1996-020B

Epoch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 20:08:06 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

21.42°

Right Ascension

82.60°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

293.98°

Period

642.24 min

Mean Motion

2.24 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

ATLAS 2A CENTAUR R/B

Alternative Name

Centaur AC-122

Type

Rocket Body

Status

Space Junk

Owner

LMA

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 23840U 96020B   26184.83896123 -.00000083  00000-0 -87415-2 0  9995
2 23840  21.4215  82.5966 6986737 293.9846  10.2541  2.24213581247876

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

10.1

Diameter

3.1

Span

10.1

Dry Mass

2095

Launch Mass

2095

Shape

Cyl

Radar Cross Section

13.8038

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Centaur IIA(4) AC-122

Purpose

Unknown

Mission

Unknown

Manufacturer

LMA/DENV

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

Centaur

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

Unknown

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

Unknown

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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