The Day America Pioneered Polar Orbits
Sixty-six years ago, a Thor-Agena rocket thundered into the California sky carrying Discoverer 1, the first satellite attempt at polar orbit and the secret vanguard of Americas space reconnaissance program
SL-14 DEB (47082)
COSPAR: 1991-056DG | Alt Name: deb S5M
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 15, 1991
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC32/2
Launch Vehicle
Tsiklon-3
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
47082
International Designator
1991-056DG
Epoch
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:18:56 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
82.62°
Right Ascension
160.56°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
239.38°
Period
109.78 min
Mean Motion
13.12 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
SL-14 DEB
Alternative Name
deb S5M
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RGMS
Country
Russia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 47082U 91056DG 26183.63815430 .00000227 00000-0 60064-3 0 9992
2 47082 82.6170 160.5583 0034449 239.3783 120.3938 13.11750156270706
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
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