Space Brief 10 Feb 2025
Discover today's key space events: SpaceX's Starlink launch, rocket debris risks, and advancements in nuclear rocket technology.
THOR ABLESTAR DEB (00252)
COSPAR: 1961-015CD | Alt Name: deb Ablestar 008
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
June 29, 1961
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC17B
Launch Vehicle
Thor Ablestar
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
00252
International Designator
1961-015CD
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 08:36:56 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
67.08°
Right Ascension
148.49°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
196.41°
Period
104.51 min
Mean Motion
13.78 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
THOR ABLESTAR DEB
Alternative Name
deb Ablestar 008
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
AFSSD
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 00252U 61015CD 26184.35898418 .00000191 00000-0 25946-3 0 9999
2 00252 67.0770 148.4888 0055782 196.4125 326.0337 13.77841892253558
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
0.0769
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Unknown
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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Falling Space Debris Risk to Aircraft Grows, North Korea Tests Hypersonic Missiles | KeepTrack Space Brief
Experts warn falling space debris risk to aircraft is increasing. North Korea tests advanced hypersonic missiles. Space Force seeks launch providers for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg pads.
X Report 19 Nov 2024
Starship Flight 6 approaches with a daring booster catch, while SpaceX ramps up satellite launches and navigates regulatory challenges.
First Nuclear-Powered Commercial Satellite Flies on Transporter-17 | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX's Transporter-17 rideshare carried 81 payloads including history's first nuclear-powered commercial satellite on July 7.
X Report 7 Sep 2025
SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites, pushing its 2025 total beyond 2,000, while facing community pushback in Florida for its Starship operations.
Space Brief 8 Mar 2025
Today's Space Brief covers the landing of the X-37B spaceplane after a 434-day mission, the postponement of SDA's satellite launch, and the fiery debris from SpaceX's Starship over The Bahamas.
X Report 18 Jun 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 28 Starlink satellites while preparing for the upcoming Ax-4 mission to the ISS. Significant progress continues in their ongoing space endeavors.
The Bomb That NASA Built by Accident
An overlooked thermostat, eight hours of overheating on a Florida launch pad, and 200,000 miles of coasting through deep space. Then Oxygen Tank No. 2 tore itself apart, and three men had to figure out how to come home alive in a spacecraft designed to land on the Moon.