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
SL-12 R/B(2) (36118)
COSPAR: 2009-070H | Alt Name: Blok DM-2 No. 115L
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 14, 2009
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC81/24
Launch Vehicle
Proton-M/DM-2
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
36118
International Designator
2009-070H
Epoch
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 08:12:38 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
65.02°
Right Ascension
69.78°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
203.35°
Period
674.94 min
Mean Motion
2.13 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SL-12 R/B(2)
Alternative Name
Blok DM-2 No. 115L
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
KHRR
Country
Russia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 36118U 09070H 26183.34211315 -.00000012 00000-0 00000+0 0 9998
2 36118 65.0196 69.7848 0028210 203.3501 334.0423 2.13353047128915
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
7.1
Diameter
3.7
Span
7.1
Dry Mass
2440
Launch Mass
17490
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
0.2512
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
11S861 No. 115L
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
RKKE
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Blok DM2
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
11D58M
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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