Santa Maria Spaceport (Azores)
Europe's Atlantic outpost enters the launch business. How Portugal's first licensed spaceport in the Azores is preparing for suborbital flights in 2026 and positioning to receive ESA's Space Rider in 2028.
SL-23 R/B (39238)
COSPAR: 2013-045B | Alt Name: Blok DM-SLB No. 6L
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 31, 2013
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC45/1
Launch Vehicle
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
39238
International Designator
2013-045B
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 21:50:33 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
26.42°
Right Ascension
75.43°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
115.03°
Period
683.57 min
Mean Motion
2.11 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SL-23 R/B
Alternative Name
Blok DM-SLB No. 6L
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
SIS
Country
Russia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 39238U 13045B 26184.91010802 .00000076 00000-0 00000-0 0 9993
2 39238 26.4190 75.4330 6393633 115.0287 322.1051 2.10660051 98819
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
5.9
Diameter
3.7
Span
5.9
Dry Mass
2540
Launch Mass
11600
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
17.8008
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Blok DM-SLB No. 6L
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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
X Report 27 Apr 2025
SpaceX gears up for two major Starlink launches, while regulatory challenges slow progress in India.
X Report 13 Nov 2025
Today's report covers SpaceX's progress on Starship pad realignment and Rocket Lab's delay of its Neutron rocket debut, highlighting key advancements and competitive dynamics in the space industry.
The Day Discovery Took Her Final Flight
Fourteen years ago, Space Shuttle Discovery thundered into orbit one last time, carrying a robot astronaut and capping a remarkable 27-year career that revolutionized space exploration
Space Brief 4 Jun 2025
Key developments include China's Shijian 26 satellite launch, U.S. Space Force's BAE Systems contract for missile-tracking satellites, and military advancements in space systems.
X Report 17 Nov 2025
SpaceX successfully launched the Sentinel-6B satellite, marking a significant milestone as its 500th mission with a reused rocket, furthering global sea level monitoring efforts.
Space Brief 27 Sep 2025
Today's brief covers next-generation missile defense strategies, NASA's Dream Chaser contract updates, and technological advances in Air Force cyber defense.
X Report 3 Jan 2025
SpaceX's pivotal role in setting a new global launch record and the upcoming launch of the Thuraya 4-NGS satellite are spotlighted today.