Space Brief 26 Aug 2024
Today's briefing covers an exciting new satellite launch, a significant reentry, and unexpected space debris from a fragmentation event.
ATLAS 5 CENTAUR R/B (40106)
COSPAR: 2014-045B | Alt Name: Centaur AV-048
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 2, 2014
Launch Site
Launch Pad
SLC41
Launch Vehicle
Atlas V 401
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
40106
International Designator
2014-045B
Epoch
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 19:36:17 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
55.33°
Right Ascension
106.23°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
27.14°
Period
754.60 min
Mean Motion
1.91 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ATLAS 5 CENTAUR R/B
Alternative Name
Centaur AV-048
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
ULAL
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 40106U 14045B 26183.81686467 .00000006 00000-0 00000-0 0 9997
2 40106 55.3269 106.2310 0153755 27.1441 333.6522 1.90830636 83057
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
11.7
Diameter
3.1
Span
11.7
Dry Mass
2020
Launch Mass
7950
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
10.2906
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Centaur AV-048
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
LMSSD
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Centaur SEC
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
RL10-4A-2
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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