The Day America Entered the Space Age
Sixty-seven years ago, a slender rocket carried America's first satellite into orbit, discovering a mysterious feature of our planet that would change our understanding of space forever
ARIANE 5 R/B (38553)
COSPAR: 2012-035C | Alt Name: Ariane 5 L563 ESC-A
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
July 5, 2012
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA3
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 5ECA
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
38553
International Designator
2012-035C
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:08:55 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
6.63°
Right Ascension
343.08°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
301.28°
Period
567.78 min
Mean Motion
2.54 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ARIANE 5 R/B
Alternative Name
Ariane 5 L563 ESC-A
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
AE
Country
France
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 38553U 12035C 26184.71452558 .00008478 00000-0 13206-2 0 9994
2 38553 6.6294 343.0781 7090751 301.2764 8.2064 2.53617708122599
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
31.5764
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
ESC-A FM36
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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
X Report 21 Jan 2025
SpaceX successfully launches 21 Starlink satellites, marking their return post-Starship explosion. Starship's recent test flight leaves debris washing ashore, while Blue Origin's New Glenn debut sparks discussion.
China's Shenlong Spaceplane Releases Mystery Object | KeepTrack Space Brief
China's Shenlong spaceplane released an unidentified object in orbit, drawing scrutiny amid U.S. Space Force Victus Haze RPO demonstrations. Tracking data critical.
Space Brief 8 Jan 2025
Today's highlights include China's launch of Shijian-25 for on-orbit refueling tests, Pentagon's investment in defense technologies, and key military upgrades.
$4.16B Golden Dome Contract Awarded to SpaceX | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX wins a $4.16B Pentagon contract for missile-tracking satellites, while hitting its 50th Starlink launch of 2026 in a landmark May.
Army Recruiting 1,000 Space Specialists Alongside Space Force | KeepTrack Space Brief
Army launches space career field seeking 1,000 new specialists. HASC chair Rogers eyes $1.5T defense budget. Army and Marines share fire mission data via JADC2.
Space Brief 21 Jul 2025
Today's brief covers SpaceX's latest Starlink launch, fascinating exoplanet discoveries, and strategic lunar developments by China and South Korea.
X Report 15 Aug 2025
SpaceX achieves significant milestones with multiple satellite launches and ongoing challenges in rural broadband funding. Noteworthy advances in Starlink capabilities enhance international connectivity.