Space Brief 7 Sep 2025
Today's Space Brief covers China’s latest satellite launches, leadership changes in the U.S. Space Force, insights from hyperspectral imagery on an Iranian facility, SpaceX's Starlink mission, and more.
FALCON 9 DEB (48607)
COSPAR: 2021-041BG | Alt Name: Starlink deployment rail
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
May 15, 2021
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC39A
Launch Vehicle
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
48607
International Designator
2021-041BG
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 20:40:12 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
53.04°
Right Ascension
39.34°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
149.95°
Period
95.61 min
Mean Motion
15.06 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
FALCON 9 DEB
Alternative Name
Starlink deployment rail
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
SPXS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 48607U 21041BG 26184.86125263 .00001038 00000-0 89317-4 0 9991
2 48607 53.0360 39.3373 0012554 149.9459 210.2253 15.06129672281667
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
7
Diameter
0.02
Span
7
Dry Mass
100
Launch Mass
100
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Unknown
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
SPXS
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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