Space Brief 8 Sep 2025
Today's highlights include China's Yaogan-40 satellite launch, military contracts for rocket studies, and SpaceX's 500th booster landing.
ATLAS 2A CENTAUR R/B (25502)
COSPAR: 1998-058B | Alt Name: Centaur AC-130
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 20, 1998
Launch Site
Launch Pad
SLC36A
Launch Vehicle
Atlas IIA
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
25502
International Designator
1998-058B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:59:12 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
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Inclination
26.96°
Right Ascension
208.00°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
84.63°
Period
314.73 min
Mean Motion
4.58 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ATLAS 2A CENTAUR R/B
Alternative Name
Centaur AC-130
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
LMA
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 25502U 98058B 26185.04111415 .00015902 00000-0 17672-2 0 9995
2 25502 26.9555 207.9982 5668521 84.6301 334.1889 4.57528038394295
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
10.1
Diameter
3.1
Span
10.1
Dry Mass
2095
Launch Mass
2095
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
15.7371
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Centaur IIA AC-130
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
LMA/DENV
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Centaur
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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