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Today's highlights include SpaceX's record-breaking Falcon launches, urgent warnings about orbital collisions, and a doubleheader launch featuring spy and Starlink satellites.
FENGYUN 2H AKM (43497)
COSPAR: 2018-050C | Alt Name: FG-36 AKM
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
June 5, 2018
Launch Site
XICLF
Launch Pad
LC2
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 3A
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
43497
International Designator
2018-050C
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 01:17:28 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
4.91°
Right Ascension
76.37°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
326.64°
Period
1438.82 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
FENGYUN 2H AKM
Alternative Name
FG-36 AKM
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
CASC
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 43497U 18050C 26184.05380374 -.00000322 00000-0 00000-0 0 9990
2 43497 4.9082 76.3708 0089119 326.6412 32.6404 1.00082186 29461
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
1.5
Diameter
1
Span
1.5
Dry Mass
50
Launch Mass
739
Shape
Cyl + Cone
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Shanxi AKM
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
ARMT
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Shanxi AKM
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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