Space Brief 1 Dec 2025
Today's brief covers China's latest classified satellite launch, breakups in orbital refueling experiments, exciting advancements in microsatellites, and SpaceX's remarkable strides in spaceflight.
SL-12 R/B(2) (26992)
COSPAR: 2001-053F | Alt Name: Blok DM-2 No. 101L
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 1, 2001
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC81/24
Launch Vehicle
Proton-K/DM-2
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
26992
International Designator
2001-053F
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:00:26 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
64.13°
Right Ascension
55.23°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
268.03°
Period
674.17 min
Mean Motion
2.14 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SL-12 R/B(2)
Alternative Name
Blok DM-2 No. 101L
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
KHRR
Country
Russia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 26992U 01053F 26185.00030473 -.00000023 00000-0 00000-0 0 9992
2 26992 64.1290 55.2315 0016528 268.0347 273.2666 2.13595841191859
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
7.1
Diameter
3.7
Span
7.1
Dry Mass
2440
Launch Mass
17490
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
1.9953
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
11S861 No. 101L
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
RKKE
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Blok DM2
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
11D58M
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.
X Report 21 Oct 2025
NASA considers opening the Artemis 3 lander to new bids as delays surface, while SpaceX gears up for multiple Falcon 9 launches this week and secures a redevelopment nod for SLC-6.
Falcon 9 Grounded After Upper Stage Anomaly, Crew-12 at Risk | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX pauses all Falcon 9 launches after upper stage anomaly during Starlink mission. Crew-12 astronaut launch may be affected. Booster 19 rolls out for cryogenic testing.
US Agency Will Not Reinstate $900 Mln Subsidy for SpaceX Starlink Unit
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission reaffirms its decision to deny SpaceX's Starlink unit $885.5 million in rural broadband subsidies, impacting the company's plans for expanding internet access.
X Report 14 Jul 2025
SpaceX successfully launched the Dror 1 satellite for Israel Aerospace Industries, marking another step forward in their launch capabilities.
X Report 25 Dec 2025
Starlink reaches 9 million active users, while SpaceX prepares for upcoming missions with Flight 12 vehicles readying for 2026.
Space Brief 14 Nov 2024
Today's brief covers potential shifts in Space Force's strategy, new milestones in military satellite programs, and advancements in ground systems for missile defense. We'll also highlight Rocket Lab's latest contract win and critical design reviews in drone technology.
China's Shenlong Deploys Six Objects
Details on China's current Shenlong spaceplane mission and its recent deployment of six objects.