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.
CZ-2C R/B (36089)
COSPAR: 2009-061B | Alt Name: CZ-2C Y21 Stage 2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
November 12, 2009
Launch Site
JSC
Launch Pad
LC603
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 2C
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
36089
International Designator
2009-061B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:36:25 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
98.46°
Right Ascension
163.09°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
350.22°
Period
99.14 min
Mean Motion
14.52 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
CZ-2C R/B
Alternative Name
CZ-2C Y21 Stage 2
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
CASC
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 36089U 09061B 26185.19196157 .00000461 00000-0 12062-3 0 9998
2 36089 98.4575 163.0862 0077652 350.2213 9.7467 14.52421227880554
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
8.4
Diameter
3.3
Span
8.4
Dry Mass
3800
Launch Mass
3800
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
9.0154
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
CZ-2C Stage 2
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
CALT
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
CZ-2 Stage 2
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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