Falcon Heavy Launches ViaSat-3 F3, Space Brief 27 Apr 2026
Falcon Heavy launched ViaSat-3 F3 on April 27, its 12th flight, with the first dual landing zone recovery. Plus Soyuz-5's demo flight nears at Baikonur.
CZ-2C R/B (42948)
COSPAR: 2017-058D | Alt Name: CZ-2C Y29 Stage 2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
September 29, 2017
Launch Site
XICLF
Launch Pad
LC3
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 2C
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
42948
International Designator
2017-058D
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 15:33:43 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
34.93°
Right Ascension
251.37°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
49.31°
Period
96.88 min
Mean Motion
14.86 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
CZ-2C R/B
Alternative Name
CZ-2C Y29 Stage 2
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
CASC
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 42948U 17058D 26184.64842369 .00001010 00000-0 11179-3 0 9995
2 42948 34.9252 251.3730 0058500 49.3116 311.2650 14.86445613474686
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
8.4
Diameter
3.3
Span
8.4
Dry Mass
3800
Launch Mass
3800
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
CZ-2C Stage 2
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
CALT
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
CZ-2 Stage 2
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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