Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
How our ability to track and predict objects in orbit has become the foundation of space safety in an increasingly crowded cosmic neighborhood
ATLAS 3B CENTAUR R/B (28538)
COSPAR: 2005-004B | Alt Name: Centaur AC-206
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
February 3, 2005
Launch Site
Launch Pad
SLC36B
Launch Vehicle
Atlas 3B
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
28538
International Designator
2005-004B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:14:41 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
63.82°
Right Ascension
244.85°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
254.14°
Period
107.19 min
Mean Motion
13.43 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ATLAS 3B CENTAUR R/B
Alternative Name
Centaur AC-206
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
LMSSD
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 28538U 05004B 26185.13520435 -.00000003 00000-0 12844-3 0 9996
2 28538 63.8233 244.8473 0212878 254.1387 103.6086 13.43381457107442
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
11.7
Diameter
3.1
Span
11.7
Dry Mass
2130
Launch Mass
6200
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Centaur IIIB SEC AC-206
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
LMSSD/DENV
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Centaur SEC
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
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