The Rise of Super Heavy-Lift Rockets
Super heavy-lift rockets are the most powerful launch vehicles ever built. They can send humans and cargo to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. But what are they, and why are they so important?
CZ-3B R/B (25405)
COSPAR: 1998-044B | Alt Name: CZ-3B Y4 Stage 3
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
July 18, 1998
Launch Site
XICLF
Launch Pad
LC2
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 3B
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
25405
International Designator
1998-044B
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 18:37:20 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
19.10°
Right Ascension
351.24°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
94.05°
Period
637.81 min
Mean Motion
2.26 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
CZ-3B R/B
Alternative Name
CZ-3B Y4 Stage 3
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
CASC1
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 25405U 98044B 26184.77593747 -.00000169 00000-0 43064-4 0 9999
2 25405 19.1008 351.2426 7168513 94.0477 343.1911 2.25772280230464
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
12.4
Diameter
3
Span
12.4
Dry Mass
2800
Launch Mass
8400
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
21.9443
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
CZ-3B Stage 3
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
CALT
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
CZ-3A Stage 3
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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