Space Brief 14 May 2025
Today's edition covers China's latest launches in their classified satellite programs, ongoing discussions in the U.S. Senate on missile defense, and the ever-escalating space debris crisis threatening national security.
ATLAS 5 CENTAUR R/B (43652)
COSPAR: 2018-079B | Alt Name: Centaur AV-073
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 17, 2018
Launch Site
Launch Pad
SLC41
Launch Vehicle
Atlas V 551
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
43652
International Designator
2018-079B
Epoch
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 07:27:13 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
13.33°
Right Ascension
28.50°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
331.14°
Period
782.26 min
Mean Motion
1.84 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ATLAS 5 CENTAUR R/B
Alternative Name
Centaur AV-073
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
ULAL
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 43652U 18079B 26183.31057371 -.00000106 00000-0 00000-0 0 9990
2 43652 13.3267 28.5037 4702066 331.1441 9.3955 1.84081595 48320
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
11.7
Diameter
3.1
Span
11.7
Dry Mass
2020
Launch Mass
7950
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Centaur AV-073
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
ULAD
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Centaur SEC
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
RL10C-1
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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