The Day Humanity Broke Its Last Tether to Earth
Forty-one years ago, astronaut Bruce McCandless II became the first human to float completely free in space, pushing the boundaries of both technology and human courage
ARIANE 5 R/B (36034)
COSPAR: 2009-058C | Alt Name: Ariane 5 L550 ESC-A
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 29, 2009
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA3
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 5ECA
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
36034
International Designator
2009-058C
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 01:05:42 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
6.30°
Right Ascension
305.45°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
184.01°
Period
363.29 min
Mean Motion
3.96 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ARIANE 5 R/B
Alternative Name
Ariane 5 L550 ESC-A
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
AE
Country
France
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 36034U 09058C 26185.04562819 .00033438 00000-0 11150-2 0 9996
2 36034 6.3022 305.4526 6100313 184.0064 167.1374 3.96378821192607
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
7
Diameter
5.5
Span
7
Dry Mass
5000
Launch Mass
5000
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
22.3162
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
ESC-A FM23
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
EADSL
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
ESC-A
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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