Space Brief 30 Sep 2025
Today's briefing covers China's rapid satellite launch activities, new Pentagon contracts for rocket motors, the Dream Chaser spaceplane's upcoming flight, and more.
NOAA 16 DEB (42407)
COSPAR: 2000-055TB | 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
42407
International Designator
2000-055TB
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 12:59:23 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
98.95°
Right Ascension
36.92°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
274.96°
Period
95.66 min
Mean Motion
15.05 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 42407U 00055TB 26184.54124914 .00102981 00000-0 71058-2 0 9992
2 42407 98.9514 36.9239 0005104 274.9594 85.1046 15.05280852533097
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
0.002
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.
Vulcan Set to Open 2026 With USSF-87 National Security Launch | KeepTrack Space Brief
ULA's Vulcan rocket preps for USSF-87 national security launch to open 2026. Sierra Space delivers SDA Tranche 2 satellites three months early. NASA delays spacewalk for Crew-11 medical issue.
Katalyst Link Clears Tests for $500M SPARCS Rescue | KeepTrack Space Brief
Katalyst's Link spacecraft passes key testing milestone ahead of June 2026 launch to rescue NASA's $500M SPARCS telescope. In-space servicing mission will create trackable conjunction risk during approach and docking phase.
Pentagon $50B Iran Supplemental Drives Space Spending Surge | KeepTrack Space Brief
Pentagon's $50B Iran supplemental request signals major investment in missile defense and ISR satellites. Amazon reshuffles LEO government leadership amid Kuiper competition.
Space Brief 21 May 2025
Today's Space Brief covers significant events including a high-stakes missile defense program, recent Chinese satellite launches, military defense initiatives, and key profiles in defense leadership.
Starship Flight 13 Targets July 16 Launch | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX targets July 16 for Starship Flight 13 from Starbase, aiming to fix Flight 12 issues and deploy working Starlink satellites.
X Report 12 Jun 2025
Today, SpaceX faced delays in launching the Ax-4 mission due to a booster leak, while Starlink made strides towards launching in India with new telecom license approval.
X Report 23 Aug 2025
This week's highlights include the successful launch of the X-37B spaceplane and the deployment of 24 new Starlink satellites, alongside preparations for the upcoming Starship Flight 10.