Growing Threat of Space Junk
Over 27,000 high-speed pieces of space junk now threaten vital satellites, requiring sophisticated tracking and urgent innovation of orbital debris removal methods like harpoons and nets.
ATLAS 5 CENTAUR R/B (34714)
COSPAR: 2009-017B | Alt Name: Centaur AV-016
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
April 4, 2009
Launch Site
Launch Pad
SLC41
Launch Vehicle
Atlas V 421
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
34714
International Designator
2009-017B
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 09:49:15 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
20.17°
Right Ascension
321.39°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
45.52°
Period
1218.01 min
Mean Motion
1.18 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ATLAS 5 CENTAUR R/B
Alternative Name
Centaur AV-016
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
ULAL
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 34714U 09017B 26184.40920829 -.00000133 00000-0 -80036-3 0 9990
2 34714 20.1670 321.3883 8171947 45.5164 357.0081 1.18225961 72814
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
2020
Launch Mass
7950
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
12.397
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Centaur AV-016
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
LMSSD
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Centaur SEC
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
RL10-4A-2
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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