Space Brief 31 Dec 2024
Today's Space Brief highlights the latest developments in China's megaconstellation funding, Russia's nuclear posturing in Europe, and other significant military activities.
CZ-4B DEB (26280)
COSPAR: 1999-057FS | Alt Name: deb CZ-4B Y1
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 14, 1999
Launch Site
TAISC
Launch Pad
LC7
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 4B
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
26280
International Designator
1999-057FS
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:30:53 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
98.72°
Right Ascension
235.50°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
140.28°
Period
100.11 min
Mean Motion
14.38 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
CZ-4B DEB
Alternative Name
deb CZ-4B Y1
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
CNSA
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 26280U 99057FS 26184.93812068 .00000408 00000-0 14274-3 0 9999
2 26280 98.7216 235.5041 0085641 140.2779 38.1060 14.38473233376874
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
0.056
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.
The Day America Entered the Space Age
Sixty-seven years ago, a slender rocket carried America's first satellite into orbit, discovering a mysterious feature of our planet that would change our understanding of space forever
The Moon Landing That Almost Didn't Happen
Six hours behind schedule, with a backup engine system shuddering in lunar orbit and mission controllers in Houston running out of options, Apollo 16 came within one meeting of being sent home without landing. The problem was a wobble in a gimbal. The solution was math done under pressure.
Space Brief 15 Aug 2025
Discover the latest in space news with the ULA's recent launch for the US Space Force, significant developments in radar tracking at high altitudes, and impactful policy changes involving military space missions.
Space Force Plans to Double Active-Duty Force by 2030 | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force confirms plan to double active-duty Guardians by 2030, targeting faster response to satellite anomalies and adversary maneuvers in space domain awareness operations.
The Day Space Station Crews Gained Their Window on the World
Fifteen years ago, Space Shuttle Endeavour launched on a mission that would give International Space Station astronauts their most spectacular view of Earth through the innovative Cupola observatory
Space Brief 26 Feb 2025
Today's brief covers the crash of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket over Europe, the Space Force's mapping efforts with Iron Dome, and key military appointments and funding decisions.
Space Brief 21 Sep 2025
Today's Space Brief covers a significant signals intelligence launch, a record-breaking satellite deployment in China, a glimpse into the newest stealth drone, a potential delay for NASA's lunar lander, and more exciting updates from satellite world.