The Day That Changed How We Navigate Forever
Forty-seven years ago, an Atlas rocket carried the first GPS satellite into orbit, launching a revolution in navigation that would transform daily life across the globe
COSMOS 2251 DEB (35989)
COSPAR: 1993-036AWF | Alt Name: deb Kosmos-2251
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
June 16, 1993
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC132/1
Launch Vehicle
Kosmos 11K65M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
35989
International Designator
1993-036AWF
Epoch
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:31:08 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
74.04°
Right Ascension
272.55°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
307.55°
Period
100.19 min
Mean Motion
14.37 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 2251 DEB
Alternative Name
deb Kosmos-2251
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
KVR
Country
Russia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 35989U 93036AWF 26183.60496128 .00000331 00000-0 11940-3 0 9996
2 35989 74.0382 272.5473 0023268 307.5509 52.3530 14.37312700900791
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
0.0085
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Unknown
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
Unknown
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.
Starship V3 Targets April 2026 Debut, X Report 20 Mar 2026
Starship V3 targets an April 2026 debut, the ride for next-gen Starlink V3 satellites. Fleet stands at 10,062 working of 11,587 launched.
Space Brief 5 Feb 2025
Today's briefing covers strategic military developments including missile defense proposals and board realignments, intertwined with rising space defense exports and autonomous launcher progress.
Space Brief 18 Sep 2024
Today's Space Brief covers Rocket Lab's IoT satellite launch, SpaceX's European Galileo satellites, FAA's fine on SpaceX, Polaris Dawn mission achievements, and more.
Starship V3 Debut Slips as Booster 19 Rolls to Pad 2 | KeepTrack X Report
Starship V3's maiden flight is delayed as SpaceX rolls Booster 19 to Pad 2 for Flight 9, while Falcon 9 completes its 30th mission of 2026.
Japan's H3 Returns to Flight With 6 Satellites | KeepTrack Space Brief
Japan's H3 rocket successfully launched June 11, deploying 6 smallsats to orbit after December failure. First return-to-flight for JAXA's flagship heavy-lift vehicle.
Musk Locks In SpaceX Control With Trillion-Dollar Stake | KeepTrack X Report
Elon Musk moves to make himself unfireable at SpaceX as AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon back a rival D2D joint venture challenging Starlink Mobile.
X Report 3 Aug 2025
SpaceX bids farewell to LZ-1 while continuing its mission towards advancements in satellite technology and the ongoing Starlink project.