X Report 21 Aug 2025
Today's brief highlights the upcoming X-37B military spaceplane launch, ongoing partnerships to protect radio astronomy, and West Virginia's minimal allocation of broadband subsidies to satellite providers like SpaceX.
NOAA 16 DEB (42372)
COSPAR: 2000-055RQ | 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
42372
International Designator
2000-055RQ
Epoch
Sun, 05 Jul 2026 03:14:46 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
98.87°
Right Ascension
310.49°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
273.34°
Period
100.37 min
Mean Motion
14.35 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
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 42372U 00055RQ 26186.13526463 .00006671 00000+0 23724-2 0 9990
2 42372 98.8747 310.4889 0008517 273.3402 86.6807 14.34650639529954
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
0.0024
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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Crew-11 Preps for First-Ever ISS Medical Evacuation, Lufthansa Orders Starlink for 850 Jets | KeepTrack X Report
Crew-11 prepares for historic first ISS medical evacuation via Crew Dragon. Lufthansa Group to equip all 850 aircraft with Starlink. Starship infrastructure advances at Starbase and Cape Canaveral.
SpaceX Starfall Reentry Vehicle Plans Revealed by FAA | KeepTrack X Report
FAA documents expose SpaceX's Starfall reentry vehicle program, targeting in-space manufacturing support as the Starlink constellation holds 10,397 working satellites.
Space Brief 18 Mar 2025
Today's Space Brief covers the reentry of Firefly's Blue Ghost moon lander, a compelling study on space debris exacerbated by climate change, and new advancements from the Vera Rubin Observatory.
X Report 18 Dec 2025
SpaceX carried out a double-header Starlink launch from both coasts while milestones from Max Space and Lux Aeterna signal growth in the commercial space sector.
Tianlong-3 Fails on Debut; SpaceX Wins $178.5M Space Force Contract | KeepTrack Space Brief
China's Tianlong-3 rocket failed during ascent on debut launch Friday. SpaceX secured $178.5M Space Force contract for missile tracking satellite launches beginning 2027.
X Report 9 Feb 2025
SpaceX prepares for another Starlink launch while facing potential C-band spectrum challenges.
Pentagon Reveals Space & Cyber "First Mover" Role in Iran Operations | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space & Cyber Command disrupted Iran ops as US munition stockpiles drop. Space Force shifts to commercial ground stations & faces acquisition workforce gaps.