The Day Electric Propulsion Changed Spaceflight Forever
Fifty-five years ago, a revolutionary spacecraft launched from California carrying technology that would transform how we explore the solar system
ATLAS 5 CENTAUR DEB (44647)
COSPAR: 2018-079H | Alt Name: deb 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
44647
International Designator
2018-079H
Epoch
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 07:07:24 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
13.48°
Right Ascension
19.34°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
347.68°
Period
765.73 min
Mean Motion
1.88 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ATLAS 5 CENTAUR DEB
Alternative Name
deb Centaur AV-073
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
ULAL
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 44647U 18079H 26183.29680576 -.00000101 00000-0 00000+0 0 9995
2 44647 13.4798 19.3449 4628830 347.6752 4.0209 1.88055275 52861
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
ULAD
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.
Blue Origin's New Glenn Explodes During Ground Test | KeepTrack Space Brief
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket exploded during ground testing May 28, visible from hundreds of miles across Florida. Fireball halts vehicle pending failure investigation.
SpaceX Preps First February Starlink Launch, Orbital Data Centers Gain Traction | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX readies Starlink 17-32 launch of 25 satellites from Vandenberg. Orbital data center economics draw attention from Musk and Bezos. 9,614 Starlink sats on orbit.
Space Brief 21 Jan 2025
Today's Space Brief highlights a SpaceX launch of Starlink satellites, international efforts to tackle space debris, and innovative lunar power solutions from China.
X Report 20 Apr 2025
SpaceX is preparing for significant infrastructure expansion in Texas and Florida to support Starship, launches its third NRO mission in a week, and faces regulatory scrutiny from the Bahamas.
The Feasibility of Transitioning from Starlink to Eutelsat in Ukraine
As Ukraine explores alternatives to SpaceX's Starlink, the potential adoption of Eutelsat OneWeb's satellite network raises critical questions about connectivity, resilience, and strategic autonomy.
Space Brief 6 Apr 2025
Today, we explore substantial U.S. defense contracts awarded for space launches, ESA's enigmatic Euclid images release, and SpaceX missions covering satellite launches and astronaut reentries.
The Day Humanity Broke Its Last Tether to Earth
Forty-one years ago, astronaut Bruce McCandless II became the first human to float completely free in space, pushing the boundaries of both technology and human courage