ELECTRON R/B (43863)

COSPAR: 2018-104Q | Alt Name: Electron 4 Stage 2
DECAYED

Image
ELECTRON R/B Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

December 16, 2018

Launch Site

RLLB

Launch Pad

LC1A

Launch Vehicle

Electron

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

43863

International Designator

2018-104Q

Decay Date

1/30/2019

Basic Satellite Info

Name

ELECTRON R/B

Alternative Name

Electron 4 Stage 2

Type

Rocket Body

Status

Space Junk

Owner

RLABN

Country

New Zealand

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

2.4

Diameter

1.2

Span

2.4

Dry Mass

250

Launch Mass

250

Shape

Cyl

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Electron Stage 2

Purpose

Unknown

Mission

Unknown

Manufacturer

RLABN

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

Electron St2

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.

Starlink 17-40 Adds 24 Sats from Vandenberg | KeepTrack X Report

Starlink 17-40 Adds 24 Sats from Vandenberg | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX's Starlink 17-40 mission launches 24 satellites from Vandenberg SFB at 7:36 a.m. PDT, expanding the 10,705-satellite constellation.

NASA OIG Flags Starship Artemis Gaps as Falcon 9 Eyes 8-Launch Week | KeepTrack X Report

NASA OIG Flags Starship Artemis Gaps as Falcon 9 Eyes 8-Launch Week | KeepTrack X Report

NASA's Inspector General warns of crew survival analysis gaps in Starship lunar lander program as Falcon 9 prepares to lead 8 global launches this week.

The Afternoon a Blurry Smudge Turned Pluto Into a Double Planet

The Afternoon a Blurry Smudge Turned Pluto Into a Double Planet

On 22 June 1978, an astronomer at the U.S. Naval Observatory looked at photographic plates that had been stamped 'image defective' and noticed a small bump on the side of Pluto. The bump was a moon, and finding it finally let astronomers weigh a planet that had fooled them for half a century.

Space Brief 2 Mar 2025

Space Brief 2 Mar 2025

Today's brief highlights the successful landing of a private moon mission by Firefly Aerospace, a new simulator for the Spanish Air and Space Force, and the anticipated launch by Europe's Ariane 6. Plus, our Satellite Spotlight features the COSMOS 2484.

Vulcan Booster Anomaly Under Scrutiny After USSF-87 Launch | KeepTrack Space Brief

Vulcan Booster Anomaly Under Scrutiny After USSF-87 Launch | KeepTrack Space Brief

ULA Vulcan faces scrutiny after solid booster anomaly on USSF-87 mission. ThinKom wins portable satellite ground station contract. Space Force starts Project Hecate for GPS past 2040.

The Satellite That Found 22 Photons and Changed Astronomy

The Satellite That Found 22 Photons and Changed Astronomy

On April 27, 1961, a Scout rocket lifted a 37-kilogram NASA satellite into orbit from Wallops Island carrying the first serious instrument for detecting cosmic gamma rays. Explorer 11 operated for seven months before its tape recorder failed. In that time it registered 22 gamma-ray photons - a pitiful number by modern standards, but enough to launch an entire branch of astronomy.

X Report 1 Jul 2025

X Report 1 Jul 2025

SpaceX gears up for an exciting July with a doubleheader launch planned for the east coast and ongoing advancements in Starlink technology.

Space Brief 29 Jun 2025

Space Brief 29 Jun 2025

Today's space brief covers SpaceX's new contract with the U.S. Space Force, multiple Starlink launches, Rocket Lab's rapid launch success, and the final mission of Japan's H-IIA rocket.