Space Brief 24 Jan 2025
Today's highlights include China's launch of classified TJS-14 satellite, Boeing's defense program losses, and the fourth batch launch of Thousand Sails satellites.
ARIANE 44L R/B (26696)
COSPAR: 2001-005C | Alt Name: Ariane H10-3 V139
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
February 7, 2001
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA2
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 44L
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
26696
International Designator
2001-005C
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:25:09 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
7.24°
Right Ascension
44.15°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
200.45°
Period
523.00 min
Mean Motion
2.75 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ARIANE 44L R/B
Alternative Name
Ariane H10-3 V139
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
AE
Country
France
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 26696U 01005C 26184.93413196 .00002978 00000-0 15034-2 0 9993
2 26696 7.2379 44.1501 6894122 200.4530 106.2361 2.75335028230009
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
14.1
Diameter
2.6
Span
14.1
Dry Mass
2080
Launch Mass
2260
Shape
Step Cyl
Radar Cross Section
22.573
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Ariane H10-3 S/N T4103
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
EADSL
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Ariane H10-3/S
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
HM-7B
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 Humanity Gained New Eyes on the Universe
Forty-seven years ago, a revolutionary space telescope changed our view of the cosmos, pioneering international cooperation in space-based astronomy
South Korea Plans Defense Satellite Constellation With Hanwha Systems | KeepTrack Space Brief
Hanwha Systems in talks with MDA Space and Telesat for South Korean defense satellite constellation. SpaceX preps GPS satellite launch for Space Force. Seismic networks now track space junk reentry.
Santa Maria Spaceport (Azores)
Europe's Atlantic outpost enters the launch business. How Portugal's first licensed spaceport in the Azores is preparing for suborbital flights in 2026 and positioning to receive ESA's Space Rider in 2028.
New Glenn Achieves First Booster Reuse on Mission 3 | KeepTrack Space Brief
Blue Origin's New Glenn successfully reused its first stage booster for the first time on Mission 3, launching April 19. Booster reuse accelerates operational tempo.
Space Brief 1 Jul 2025
Key developments in the space sector include new partnerships for satellite surveillance, strategic shifts from the Defense Department impacting weather forecasting, and the Space Force's focus on agile satellite technologies.
The Satellites the Size of a Studio Apartment
AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird constellation is a bet that raw aperture size wins. Each satellite unfolds a 64-square-meter phased-array antenna in orbit, the largest commercial antenna ever deployed. The company claims a stock smartphone on the ground can connect directly to it. The competition says the physics doesn't support that. Seventeen satellites in and a contract with AT&T, Verizon, and Vodafone, somebody's math is wrong.
X Report 1 Feb 2025
Exciting SpaceX updates include the arrival of Athena moon lander, SPHEREx telescope's upcoming launch, and SpaceX's GigaBay development.