Space Brief 16 Sep 2025
Today's brief highlights the impact of military spending and technology competition on the space economy, new satellite connectivity partnerships, and defense spending pledges in Europe.
CZ-4B DEB (31139)
COSPAR: 2003-049E | Alt Name: CZ-4B sep motor cover
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 21, 2003
Launch Site
TAISC
Launch Pad
LC7
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 4B
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
31139
International Designator
2003-049E
Epoch
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 23:42:51 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
98.48°
Right Ascension
193.88°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
202.84°
Period
98.09 min
Mean Motion
14.68 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
CZ-4B DEB
Alternative Name
CZ-4B sep motor cover
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
CNSA
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 31139U 03049E 26183.98810159 .00003224 00000-0 55264-3 0 9990
2 31139 98.4798 193.8817 0066270 202.8353 156.9901 14.68078859 14399
Source: Celestrak
Summary
Space debris, also known as space junk, encompasses all non-functional objects orbiting Earth such as defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from collisions or disintegrations. Over time, this debris can accumulate and create an increasingly hazardous environment in orbit. Even tiny fragments, traveling at extremely high velocities, can inflict significant damage on operational satellites and spacecraft. If left unmanaged, the density of debris raises the risk of catastrophic collisions and further fragmentation, compounding the problem and threatening the safety and sustainability of space activities.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0
Diameter
0
Span
0
Dry Mass
0
Launch Mass
0
Shape
N/A
Radar Cross Section
0.0194
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Unknown
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
SAST
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Unknown
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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Nuclear Renaissance Surges in Space, Pentagon Invests $1B in L3Harris Missiles | KeepTrack Space Brief
Demand surges for nuclear power in space including lunar surface reactors. Pentagon commits $1B as anchor investor in L3Harris missile unit. Orbion delivers 33 electric thrusters for military sats.
NROL-179 Starshield Satellites Launch from Vandenberg | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX launched NROL-179 from Vandenberg at 1:50 a.m. PDT June 19, carrying Starshield spy satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office.
Space Force Terminates $1.7B SCAR Contract, Relaunches | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force terminated its $1.7B SCAR ground antenna modernization contract and is relaunching competition. Delays extend reliance on aging legacy systems for MEO and GEO satellite command.
Aurora 7 and the Day NASA Almost Lost Scott Carpenter
Exactly 64 years ago today, Scott Carpenter became the fourth American to orbit the Earth aboard Aurora 7. His five-hour flight produced new science, a tense reentry, and 39 minutes of silence in which the country wondered if it had just lost its astronaut.
Space Brief 26 Jul 2025
Today's brief highlights the maiden flight of Blue Origin's Blue Ring spacecraft with a new AI-driven space sensor, debates on asteroid defense responsibilities, and updates on the U.S. Space Force's missile shield leadership.
X Report 28 Feb 2025
SpaceX postpones Starship Flight 8, successfully launches Starlink satellites and two lunar missions.
Missile Strikes SES Teleport in Israel; Anduril Buys ExoAnalytic | KeepTrack Space Brief
Missile strike damages SES teleport facility in Israel amid military operations. Anduril acquires ExoAnalytic's 130-person space tracking team, integrating satellite/missile surveillance into defense portfolio.