Space Brief 6 Dec 2024
Today's brief covers various military applications of climate-monitoring satellites, new defense strategies against unmanned threats, and the potential impacts of geopolitical tensions on orbit.
COSMOS 2421 DEB (32946)
COSPAR: 2006-026GZ | Alt Name: deb Kosmos-2421
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
June 25, 2006
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC90/20
Launch Vehicle
Tsiklon-2
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
32946
International Designator
2006-026GZ
Decay Date
6/27/2008
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 2421 DEB
Alternative Name
deb Kosmos-2421
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
KVR
Country
Russia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
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
0.0275
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Unknown
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
ARSL
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Unknown
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Mike Melvill, 124 Meters, and the Morning Space Went Private
On 21 June 2004, a 63-year-old test pilot rode a homebuilt rocket plane to 100,124 meters above the Mojave Desert, clearing the edge of space by about the length of a city block. He came down the first private astronaut in history, holding a sign that read 'SpaceShipOne, GovernmentZero.'
Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO)
Understanding the unique orbital sweet spot that keeps satellites perfectly positioned above Earth
A Tribute to Albert Einstein
Ask anyone on the street who the smartest person ever was, and most will say Albert Einstein. Exactly 71 years ago today, this genius departed from the world. Today, we examine Einstein's innumerable contributions to astronomy and how he shaped space history for years to come.
FCC Approves Reflect Orbital Sunlight Satellite | KeepTrack Space Brief
FCC clears Reflect Orbital's first satellite to bounce sunlight into nighttime zones, despite pushback from astronomers concerned about orbital streaking and wildlife impacts.
Kratos Wins $447M Space Force MEO Missile Tracking Deal | KeepTrack Space Brief
Kratos awarded $447 million Space Force contract for Resilient Missile Warning Tracking ground ops center in Medium Earth Orbit, shifting missile detection away from vulnerable GEO satellites.
The Day America Shot Down Its Own Spy Satellite
Seventeen years ago, a Navy cruiser in the Pacific fired a missile at a tumbling reconnaissance satellite that had failed within hours of reaching orbit - officially to prevent toxic fuel from reaching the ground, unofficially to prove something far more significant to China and the world
X Report 3 Feb 2025
SpaceX prepares for another Starlink launch from Florida, while recent Starship incident raises environmental concerns.