SL-4 R/B (24887)

COSPAR: 1997-038B | Alt Name: Soyuz-U No. 655 Blok-I

DECAYED

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

August 5, 1997

Launch Site

Tyuratam Missile and Space Complex

Launch Pad

LC1

Launch Vehicle

Soyuz-U

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

24887

International Designator

1997-038B

Decay Date

8/8/1997

Basic Satellite Info

Name

SL-4 R/B

Alternative Name

Soyuz-U No. 655 Blok-I

Type

Rocket Body

Status

Space Junk

Owner

VKSR

Country

Russia

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

6.7

Diameter

2.7

Span

6.7

Dry Mass

2350

Launch Mass

2350

Shape

Cyl

Radar Cross Section

28.561

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

11S510

Purpose

Unknown

Mission

Unknown

Manufacturer

PROGT

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

Blok-I

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.

The Day Humanity First Used a Planet to Navigate the Solar System

Fifty-one years ago, Mariner 10 revolutionized space exploration by executing the first-ever planetary gravity assist at Venus, pioneering a technique that would transform how we explore the solar system

X Report 1 Apr 2025

SpaceX launches its first crewed mission over Earth's poles and FAA concludes investigation into the Starship Flight 7 incident.

Space Brief 20 Aug 2025

Today's Space Brief highlights Globalstar's new military focus, technological innovations in the Army's tactical systems, and a deeper look at key military satellite communications developments.

Space Brief 12 Nov 2025

Today's brief covers China's ongoing assessments following a potential debris strike on Shenzhou-20, SpaceX's record-breaking Starlink launch, Rocket Lab's delay of the Neutron rocket, and more.

X Report 20 Jul 2025

SpaceX successfully launched 24 Starlink satellites, enhancing its constellation while continuing its leadership in satellite deployment for global internet coverage.

The Rocket That Refused to Sink

On April 18, 2014, a Falcon 9 first stage did something no orbital rocket had ever done before. It fired its engines on the way down, steered itself through the atmosphere using grid fins that did not yet exist, and touched the Atlantic Ocean softly enough to survive the impact. Nobody recovered it. The data was the whole point.

Pentagon Chief Tours Rocket Lab, Space Force Accelerates 2026 Acquisitions | KeepTrack Space Brief

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth tours Rocket Lab for Arsenal of Freedom strategy. Space Force accelerates 2026 acquisitions including GPS and tactical comms. Rhea Space wins $1.9M optical nav contract.

The $1.5 Million Starlink Jammer That Ukraine Keeps Blowing Up

Russia's Volna Kupol Garant electronic warfare system was purpose-built to jam Starlink. It costs around $1.5 million per unit, covers just 20 square kilometers, and can only target one satellite at a time. Ukraine has been finding and destroying them within days of deployment.