Block 3 Starship Pad Work Accelerates at Starbase | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX engineers are overhauling Starbase launch infrastructure for Block 3 Starships as Falcon 9 prepares another Starlink batch run.
CZ-3B R/B (43040)
COSPAR: 2017-078B | Alt Name: CZ-3B Y40 Stage 3
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 10, 2017
Launch Site
XICLF
Launch Pad
LC2
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 3B
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
43040
International Designator
2017-078B
Decay Date
3/10/2018
Basic Satellite Info
Name
CZ-3B R/B
Alternative Name
CZ-3B Y40 Stage 3
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
CASC
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
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
12.4
Diameter
3
Span
12.4
Dry Mass
2800
Launch Mass
8400
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
CZ-3B Stage 3
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
CALT
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
CZ-3A Stage 3
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
X Report 3 Sep 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 24 Starlink satellites aboard a brand-new Falcon 9 rocket. The company aims for five missions this week, bolstering its satellite internet constellation.
LeoLabs and the Business of Watching Everything
A startup built on Cold War-era radar science now tracks 25,000 objects in orbit - and the Pentagon can't get enough of it. But can its radars really compete with the Space Surveillance Network?
Blue Origin Targets New Glenn Return Before Year-End After Pad Explosion | KeepTrack Space Brief
Blue Origin aiming for 2nd New Glenn launch by end of 2026 after LC-36 pad explosion at Cape Canaveral. Repair timeline still unclear; mission critical for national security payloads.
X Report 24 Sep 2025
SpaceX prepares for the launch of significant NASA and NOAA missions, while Starship's 11th test flight edges closer.
Space Brief 3 Jul 2025
Today's coverage includes the cancellation of DARPA's DRACO nuclear propulsion project, global shifts in Earth observation strategy, and new developments in satellite technology and military collaborations.
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.
X Report 2 Jun 2025
SpaceX delays the launch of 23 Starlink satellites due to geomagnetic storm concerns, adjusting the schedule for an upcoming Falcon 9 mission.