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Today's highlights include China's launch of a mystery spysat, Maxar's terrain data for U.S. Army systems, and multiple U.S. defense firms enhancing satellite capabilities.
SL-12 R/B(2) (23845)
COSPAR: 1996-021D | Alt Name: Blok DM3 No. 1L
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
April 8, 1996
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC81/23
Launch Vehicle
Proton-K/DM-2M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
23845
International Designator
1996-021D
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 20:40:38 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
5.05°
Right Ascension
227.42°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
280.30°
Period
876.24 min
Mean Motion
1.64 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-12 R/B(2)
Alternative Name
Blok DM3 No. 1L
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RVSNR
Country
Russia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 23845U 96021D 26184.86155881 -.00000072 00000-0 00000-0 0 9993
2 23845 5.0465 227.4164 3979033 280.2969 22.8843 1.64338013181477
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
7.1
Diameter
3.7
Span
7.1
Dry Mass
2560
Launch Mass
17610
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
34.7717
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Blok DM3 No. 1L
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
RKKE
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Blok DM2
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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