Space Brief 18 Jan 2025
In today's brief: high-profile personnel changes in the Space Force, the inclusion of Space Force in historical political events, and strategic shifts in defense highlighted with a focus on satellite applications.
THOR ABLESTAR DEB (02432)
COSPAR: 1963-049G | Alt Name: Transit VBN-2 part
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 5, 1963
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
75-1-1
Launch Vehicle
Thor Ablestar
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
02432
International Designator
1963-049G
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:16:32 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
89.92°
Right Ascension
70.52°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
182.64°
Period
106.80 min
Mean Motion
13.48 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
THOR ABLESTAR DEB
Alternative Name
Transit VBN-2 part
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
NAVAIR
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 02432U 63049G 26185.13648462 .00000091 00000-0 13112-3 0 9990
2 02432 89.9225 70.5221 0033908 182.6379 331.5578 13.48261210 74982
Source: Celestrak
Summary
Space debris, also known as space junk, encompasses all non-functional objects orbiting Earth such as defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from collisions or disintegrations. Over time, this debris can accumulate and create an increasingly hazardous environment in orbit. Even tiny fragments, traveling at extremely high velocities, can inflict significant damage on operational satellites and spacecraft. If left unmanaged, the density of debris raises the risk of catastrophic collisions and further fragmentation, compounding the problem and threatening the safety and sustainability of space activities.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0
Diameter
0
Span
0
Dry Mass
0
Launch Mass
0
Shape
N/A
Radar Cross Section
0.158
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
VBN-2 launch debris
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
Unknown
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Unknown
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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