ARIANE 5 R/B (27946)

COSPAR: 2003-043B | Alt Name: Ariane 5 L516 EPS

Image
ARIANE 5 R/B Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

September 27, 2003

Launch Site

FRGUI

Launch Pad

ELA3

Launch Vehicle

Ariane 5G

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

27946

International Designator

2003-043B

Epoch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 08:40:15 GMT

Apogee

Calculating...

Perigee

Calculating...

Inclination

8.14°

Right Ascension

325.80°

Eccentricity

Calculating...

Argument of Perigee

111.60°

Period

644.10 min

Mean Motion

2.24 rev/day

Latitude

Calculating...

Longitude

Calculating...

Altitude

Calculating...

Velocity

Calculating...

Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

ARIANE 5 R/B

Alternative Name

Ariane 5 L516 EPS

Type

Rocket Body

Status

Space Junk

Owner

AE

Country

France

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 27946U 03043B   26184.36128830 -.00000136  00000-0 -32414-3 0  9999
2 27946   8.1372 325.8008 7179679 111.6023 334.8619  2.23569293185972

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

4

Diameter

3.9

Span

4

Dry Mass

1800

Launch Mass

1800

Shape

Cone + Cyl

Radar Cross Section

29.0497

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

EPS S/N 516G

Purpose

Unknown

Mission

Unknown

Manufacturer

EADSB

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

EPS

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

Aestus

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

Unknown

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map
This tool will help you track the satellite's position and predict its upcoming passes over your location. Simply input the coordinates or click the geolocation button to get started.
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.

Space Brief 26 Nov 2024

Space Brief 26 Nov 2024

Today's headlines include new launch schedules, military industrial base challenges, and NASA's exploration of historic Cold War sites. Discover significant space events and satellite insights.

Space Brief 28 Nov 2025

Space Brief 28 Nov 2025

Discover the latest on China's Zhuque-3 launch, ISS crew updates, ESA's budget dealings, a strategic super-resolution partnership, and ACME Space's innovative plans.

The Morning a Supply Ship Tore Open Mir

The Morning a Supply Ship Tore Open Mir

On 25 June 1997, a seven-ton cargo ship under hand control drifted into Mir's Spektr module, breached the hull, and left three crew members listening to their air hiss into space. It remains the worst collision in the history of human spaceflight.

Crew-11 Completes First-Ever ISS Medical Evacuation, SpaceX Sets Pad Record | KeepTrack X Report

Crew-11 Completes First-Ever ISS Medical Evacuation, SpaceX Sets Pad Record | KeepTrack X Report

Crew-11 astronauts splashdown off California in first-ever ISS medical evacuation. SpaceX sets pad turnaround record at Cape Canaveral with Starlink 6-98 deploying 29 satellites.

The Day the Soviets Built a World in Orbit

The Day the Soviets Built a World in Orbit

Forty years ago today, the USSR launched a 20-ton aluminum cylinder into low Earth orbit and called it 'Peace.' Over the next 15 years, Mir would host 104 people from 12 countries, survive a fire and a collision, and quietly teach humanity how to live in space.

X Report 7 Aug 2025

X Report 7 Aug 2025

SpaceX's Crew-10 astronauts are set to return to Earth, while Impulse Space takes strides in spacecraft capabilities. Additionally, SpaceX prepares to launch 24 Amazon Project Kuiper satellites.

Space Brief 14 Jan 2025

Space Brief 14 Jan 2025

Today's brief focuses on Blue Origin's scrubbed New Glenn launch, SpaceX's reusability milestone, and a warning from the US Air Force about China's advancements in space capabilities. We're also highlighting a key satellite in orbit.

Space Brief 17 Feb 2025

Space Brief 17 Feb 2025

Today's brief covers the first astronaut with a disability preparing for the ISS mission, SpaceX’s recent Starlink launch, funding breakthroughs for satellite tech company K2 Space, and updates on the Artemis program's challenges.