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Today's highlights include China's latest satellite launches, Blue Origin's expansion plans, and Purdue University's groundbreaking suborbital mission with Virgin Galactic.
CZ-4B R/B (48624)
COSPAR: 2021-043D | Alt Name: CZ-4B Y48 Stage 3
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
May 19, 2021
Launch Site
JSC
Launch Pad
LC43/94
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 4B
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
48624
International Designator
2021-043D
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:02:28 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
66.07°
Right Ascension
331.35°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
9.32°
Period
101.29 min
Mean Motion
14.22 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
CZ-4B R/B
Alternative Name
CZ-4B Y48 Stage 3
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
CNSA
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 48624U 21043D 26185.12672334 -.00000087 00000-0 16140-5 0 9997
2 48624 66.0674 331.3472 0156327 9.3209 351.0720 14.21603102265983
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
6.9
Diameter
2.9
Span
6.9
Dry Mass
1000
Launch Mass
1000
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
CZ-4B Stage 3
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
SAST
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
CZ-4 Stage 3
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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