Space Brief 20 Sep 2025
Today's highlights include SpaceX's Starlink launch, NASA's revived lunar mission, and a spotlight on space-defense activities.
THOR ABLESTAR DEB (38521)
COSPAR: 1963-038Q | Alt Name: deb Transit VBN-1
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
September 28, 1963
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
75-1-1
Launch Vehicle
Thor Ablestar
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
38521
International Designator
1963-038Q
Epoch
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 05:20:10 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
89.97°
Right Ascension
333.02°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
304.17°
Period
107.03 min
Mean Motion
13.45 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
THOR ABLESTAR DEB
Alternative Name
deb Transit VBN-1
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
NAVAIR
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 38521U 63038Q 26183.22234065 .00000083 00000-0 12499-3 0 9992
2 38521 89.9656 333.0193 0039091 304.1716 175.5986 13.45432917637523
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
0.0096
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.
Space Brief 2 Nov 2025
Today's briefing covers India's military communications satellite launch, SpaceX's Starlink mission milestone, Latvia's agreement to the Artemis Accords, and more significant updates in space technology and satellite launches.
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.
Why Nobody Can See What Is Happening Near the Moon
The volume of space between Earth and the Moon is roughly a thousand times larger than the orbit we actually watch, and almost none of it is under surveillance. As the U.S. and China race to build lunar outposts, the Space Force is scrambling to put eyes on a region it has been effectively blind to.
Space Brief 9 Apr 2025
Today's brief covers Blue Origin’s new defense launch contracts, the ISS launch of a Navy SEAL astronaut, Sierra Space’s GPS security advancements for the U.S. Space Force, and the Space Force's 'Orbital Watch' initiative.
Space Brief 11 Apr 2025
Today's brief covers Millennium's milestone in missile defense, new satellite jammer for Space Force, budget increases for defense, delays in MEO satellite contracts, and potential impacts of Trump's latest order on Pentagon programs.
SpaceX Stock Jumps 19% on Nasdaq Debut, X Report 15 Jun 2026
SpaceX stock surged 19% on its Nasdaq debut as Musk targets $1 trillion revenue by 2030. Starlink 17-54 marks the 1,500th satellite launched in 2026.
X Report 6 Nov 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 29 Starlink satellites, marking the start of a busy month for their satellite deployment efforts. The mission is part of an ongoing expansion of their broadband internet constellation.