MDA Space Buys Blue Canyon for $620M, Space Brief 20 Jun 2026
MDA Space acquires Blue Canyon Technologies for $620 million, and NASA's 2028 Aeolus Mars orbiter goes to a California startup instead of SpaceX.
SL-8 R/B (04589)
COSPAR: 1970-086B | Alt Name: Kosmos-3M 17-104 Stage 2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 16, 1970
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC132/1
Launch Vehicle
Kosmos 11K65M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
04589
International Designator
1970-086B
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 19:52:50 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
74.06°
Right Ascension
322.88°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
62.63°
Period
99.77 min
Mean Motion
14.43 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
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Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SL-8 R/B
Alternative Name
Kosmos-3M 17-104 Stage 2
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RVSN
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 04589U 70086B 26184.82835881 .00000337 00000-0 10750-3 0 9990
2 04589 74.0613 322.8778 0019491 62.6267 297.6870 14.43366112922923
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
4.2
Diameter
2.4
Span
4.2
Dry Mass
1434
Launch Mass
1434
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
4.2775
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
S3M
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
OAZ
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
S3
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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