ARIANE 44P R/B (24847)

COSPAR: 1997-031B | Alt Name: Ariane H10-3 V96
DECAYED

Image
ARIANE 44P R/B Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

June 25, 1997

Launch Site

FRGUI

Launch Pad

ELA2

Launch Vehicle

Ariane 44P

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

24847

International Designator

1997-031B

Decay Date

3/4/2003

Basic Satellite Info

Name

ARIANE 44P R/B

Alternative Name

Ariane H10-3 V96

Type

Rocket Body

Status

Space Junk

Owner

AE

Country

France

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

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

12.1

Diameter

2.6

Span

12.1

Dry Mass

1820

Launch Mass

2000

Shape

Cyl

Radar Cross Section

27.1674

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Ariane H10-3 S/N T466

Purpose

Unknown

Mission

Unknown

Manufacturer

AELM

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

Ariane H10-3

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

Unknown

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

Unknown

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

Space Brief 18 Dec 2024

Space Brief 18 Dec 2024

Today's highlights include SpaceX's rapid response GPS launch, Raytheon's new rocket motor test, and Starlink's revenue surge. Plus, the Space Force's modernization push.

X Report 7 Apr 2025

X Report 7 Apr 2025

SpaceX prepares for another Starlink launch today, following a successful deployment over the weekend from Florida's Space Coast.

Space Brief 8 Dec 2025

Space Brief 8 Dec 2025

Today's edition covers SpaceX scrubbing and successfully launching Starlink satellites, AI innovations in spacecraft propulsion, and the impact of SPHERE's debris disk survey in discovering hidden asteroid belts.

X Report 24 Nov 2024

X Report 24 Nov 2024

SpaceX cancels Texas land-swap deal amid growing Starship presence and launches 20 Starlink satellites using the 400th Falcon 9 rocket.

Space Brief 27 Aug 2024

Space Brief 27 Aug 2024

Today's highlights include the destruction of ABL Space Systems' rocket due to engine leaks, Firefly Aerospace's lunar lander pre-launch tests, and insights on U.S. military's space domain awareness enhancements.

The Satellite That Found 22 Photons and Changed Astronomy

The Satellite That Found 22 Photons and Changed Astronomy

On April 27, 1961, a Scout rocket lifted a 37-kilogram NASA satellite into orbit from Wallops Island carrying the first serious instrument for detecting cosmic gamma rays. Explorer 11 operated for seven months before its tape recorder failed. In that time it registered 22 gamma-ray photons - a pitiful number by modern standards, but enough to launch an entire branch of astronomy.

The Day That Changed How We Navigate Forever

The Day That Changed How We Navigate Forever

Forty-seven years ago, an Atlas rocket carried the first GPS satellite into orbit, launching a revolution in navigation that would transform daily life across the globe

X Report 22 Nov 2025

X Report 22 Nov 2025

Major challenges emerged with SpaceX's next-generation Starship booster testing, while Starlink deployments continued with successful launches.