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 DEB (46843)
COSPAR: 2018-079CY | 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
46843
International Designator
2018-079CY
Epoch
Fri, 19 Mar 2021 15:39:07 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
10.69°
Right Ascension
212.45°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
353.83°
Period
767.85 min
Mean Motion
1.88 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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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 46843U 18079CY 21077.65216947 -.00000133 00000-0 00000+0 0 9994
2 46843 10.6877 212.4474 4761589 353.8262 1.7994 1.87537002 2958
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
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