The Day Humanity First Touched an Asteroid
Twenty-four years ago, a spacecraft designed only to orbit made history with an improvised landing on asteroid Eros, marking humanitys first controlled touchdown on a small celestial body
SL-12 DEB (25809)
COSPAR: 1987-079U | Alt Name: deb DM2-26L SOZ-1
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
September 16, 1987
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC200/40
Launch Vehicle
Proton-K/DM-2
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
25809
International Designator
1987-079U
Epoch
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 22:35:39 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
65.07°
Right Ascension
124.01°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
46.65°
Period
199.38 min
Mean Motion
7.22 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
SL-12 DEB
Alternative Name
deb DM2-26L SOZ-1
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RVSNR
Country
Russia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 25809U 87079U 26183.94142421 .00027885 00000-0 10270-1 0 9993
2 25809 65.0653 124.0124 4005838 46.6461 340.5350 7.22246404134144
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
0.0074
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
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