ARIANE 5 R/B (40942)

COSPAR: 2015-054C | Alt Name: Ariane 5 L580 ESC-A

Image
ARIANE 5 R/B Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

September 30, 2015

Launch Site

FRGUI

Launch Pad

ELA3

Launch Vehicle

Ariane 5ECA

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

40942

International Designator

2015-054C

Epoch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 02:44:13 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

6.48°

Right Ascension

67.33°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

278.93°

Period

493.46 min

Mean Motion

2.92 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

ARIANE 5 R/B

Alternative Name

Ariane 5 L580 ESC-A

Type

Rocket Body

Status

Space Junk

Owner

AE

Country

France

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 40942U 15054C   26184.11404531  .00003829  00000-0  53288-3 0  9995
2 40942   6.4818  67.3253 6803997 278.9312  15.2685  2.91814377 99746

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

32.89

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

ESC-A FM52

Purpose

Unknown

Mission

Unknown

Manufacturer

ASFL

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

ESC-A

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

Unknown

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

Unknown

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map
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