Space Brief 18 Jul 2025
Today's highlights include Space Force prioritizing military missions, testing new GPS satellite software, and international defense collaborations impacting space assets.
CZ-4C DEB (44616)
COSPAR: 2018-031K | Alt Name: deb CZ-4C
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 31, 2018
Launch Site
TAISC
Launch Pad
LC9
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 4C
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
44616
International Designator
2018-031K
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 11:30:51 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
97.80°
Right Ascension
270.30°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
219.68°
Period
96.22 min
Mean Motion
14.97 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
CZ-4C DEB
Alternative Name
deb CZ-4C
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
CNSA
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 44616U 18031K 26185.47976779 .00004961 00000+0 44040-3 0 9996
2 44616 97.7968 270.2972 0004200 219.6788 140.4126 14.96618556428806
Source: Celestrak
Summary
Space debris, also known as space junk, encompasses all non-functional objects orbiting Earth such as defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from collisions or disintegrations. Over time, this debris can accumulate and create an increasingly hazardous environment in orbit. Even tiny fragments, traveling at extremely high velocities, can inflict significant damage on operational satellites and spacecraft. If left unmanaged, the density of debris raises the risk of catastrophic collisions and further fragmentation, compounding the problem and threatening the safety and sustainability of space activities.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0
Diameter
0
Span
0
Dry Mass
0
Launch Mass
0
Shape
N/A
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Unknown
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
Unknown
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Unknown
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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Space Brief 22 Jun 2025
Today's briefing covers a last-minute abort of a SpaceX Starlink launch, NASA's preparation for hypersonic tests, Airbus's progress in its space business, and more exciting developments in satellite tracking and reusable spaceflight.
X Report 5 Feb 2025
SpaceX launches Maxar's high-resolution imaging satellites, Ontario reconsiders its Starlink contract, and the countdown to NASA's Lunar Trailblazer mission begins.
81 Payloads Deployed to SSO; Long March 10B & Vikram-I Debut This Week | KeepTrack Space Brief
SpaceX rideshare Falcon 9 deployed 81 payloads including military tech demos to sun-synchronous orbit. China's Long March 10B and India's Vikram-I both debut this week among 6 scheduled launches.
X Report 28 Aug 2025
SpaceX continues to break records with the Falcon 9's 30th flight while Starship's successful test flight propels the program forward after recent challenges.
Space Brief 11 Mar 2025
Today's Space Brief highlights pivotal defense budget evaluations, Lithuania's growing defense connections, the first CubeSat for ESA's Ramses mission, and the one-year milestone of the Aries satellite in orbit.
A Tribute to Albert Einstein
Ask anyone on the street who the smartest person ever was, and most will say Albert Einstein. Exactly 71 years ago today, this genius departed from the world. Today, we examine Einstein's innumerable contributions to astronomy and how he shaped space history for years to come.
Space Brief 19 Nov 2024
Today's brief covers the investigation into Musk-Putin calls, SpaceX launch restrictions impacts, Pentagon's space investment strategies, ABL Space's pivot in focus, and Israel's defense export developments.