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.
THORAD AGENA D DEB (04768)
COSPAR: 1970-025DN | Alt Name: deb Agena D
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
April 8, 1970
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC2E
Launch Vehicle
Thorad SLV-2G Agena D
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
04768
International Designator
1970-025DN
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 01:55:51 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
100.16°
Right Ascension
231.50°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
338.20°
Period
104.97 min
Mean Motion
13.72 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
THORAD AGENA D DEB
Alternative Name
deb Agena D
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 04768U 70025DN 26185.08045322 .00000258 00000-0 33910-3 0 9999
2 04768 100.1628 231.4976 0029240 338.1997 51.4920 13.71758210800176
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
0.0638
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.
X Report 31 Jul 2025
Today's highlights include the ongoing Crew-11 mission launch and Starship preparations for its upcoming test flight.
X Report 31 Mar 2025
New experiments in space agriculture begin with Fram2 mission, a historic polar orbit flight, and a Starlink launch postponement.
Space Brief 31 Oct 2024
SpaceX achieves a new launch record with its Starlink mission, NASA's Perseverance rover captures eerie Martian winds, and Buzz Aldrin endorses Trump. Plus, discussions around space debris and military space tech agreements.
Space Brief 15 Aug 2025
Discover the latest in space news with the ULA's recent launch for the US Space Force, significant developments in radar tracking at high altitudes, and impactful policy changes involving military space missions.
Track the International Space Station
A look at how tracking the space station offers a unique view of space exploration.
Atlas 5 551 Flies Last Mission for Amazon Kuiper | KeepTrack Space Brief
ULA launched Atlas 5 551 configuration for final time on July 1, deploying Amazon Kuiper broadband satellites. New Glenn pad rebuild underway at LC-36 after May explosion.
Pentagon Allocates $8B for Space-Based Moving Target Tracking | KeepTrack Space Brief
Pentagon requests $8 billion for space-based moving target tracking constellation in FY2027 budget. New NORAD IDs expected as Space Force expands orbital ISR capabilities.