The Day America's Moon Rocket Began Its Journey
Fifty-nine years ago, a revolutionary new rocket thundered skyward from Cape Kennedy, testing the spacecraft that would eventually carry astronauts to the lunar surface
BLOCK DM-SL R/B (27953)
COSPAR: 2003-044B | Alt Name: Blok DM-SL No. 12L
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 1, 2003
Launch Site
SEAL
Launch Pad
KLA -
Launch Vehicle
Zenit-3SL
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
27953
International Designator
2003-044B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:08:24 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
0.76°
Right Ascension
328.43°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
310.20°
Period
671.57 min
Mean Motion
2.14 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
BLOCK DM-SL R/B
Alternative Name
Blok DM-SL No. 12L
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
SEALP
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 27953U 03044B 26185.08917659 -.00000106 00000-0 00000-0 0 9992
2 27953 0.7592 328.4251 6600064 310.1970 16.9134 2.14422617178198
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
6.3
Diameter
3.7
Span
6.3
Dry Mass
3210
Launch Mass
7640
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
19.8278
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Blok DM-SL No. 12L
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
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