X Report 22 May 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 23 Starlink satellites on a brand-new Falcon 9 rocket, while preparations ramp up for Starship Flight 9 and a pioneering commercial docking mission approaches.
ATLAS 2 CENTAUR R/B (23968)
COSPAR: 1996-042B | Alt Name: Centaur AC-125
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
July 25, 1996
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC36A
Launch Vehicle
Atlas II
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
23968
International Designator
1996-042B
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 18:38:08 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
26.66°
Right Ascension
180.88°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
156.58°
Period
409.11 min
Mean Motion
3.52 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
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Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ATLAS 2 CENTAUR R/B
Alternative Name
Centaur AC-125
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
LMA
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 23968U 96042B 26184.77648211 .00001004 00000-0 77530-3 0 9996
2 23968 26.6551 180.8767 6317305 156.5845 253.7891 3.51985379358338
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
14.8664
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Centaur II(3) AC-125
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
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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