1 Million AI Data Centers in Orbit Threaten Astronomy | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX's proposed 1-million-satellite AI data center constellation alarms astronomers as Falcon 9 logs its 25th Starlink launch of 2026.
NOAA 16 DEB (41229)
COSPAR: 2000-055EJ | Alt Name: deb NOAA 16
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
September 21, 2000
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC4W
Launch Vehicle
Titan II SLV
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
41229
International Designator
2000-055EJ
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:33:09 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
98.92°
Right Ascension
242.63°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
191.98°
Period
101.08 min
Mean Motion
14.25 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
NOAA 16 DEB
Alternative Name
deb NOAA 16
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
NOAA
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 41229U 00055EJ 26184.93968868 .00006280 00000-0 26679-2 0 9994
2 41229 98.9193 242.6294 0060743 191.9807 167.9930 14.24633527542040
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
0.0276
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
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