Space Brief 24 Nov 2025
Today's highlights include a record number of launches from Florida's Space Coast, Germany's new military space strategy, SpaceX's Starlink deployment, and more.
FALCON 9 R/B (48839)
COSPAR: 2021-049B | Alt Name: Falcon 9-122 Stage 2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
June 6, 2021
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
48839
International Designator
2021-049B
Epoch
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:11:59 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
27.04°
Right Ascension
187.53°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
234.45°
Period
259.78 min
Mean Motion
5.54 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
FALCON 9 R/B
Alternative Name
Falcon 9-122 Stage 2
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
SPX
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 48839U 21049B 26183.59165949 .00035704 00000-0 84395-3 0 9997
2 48839 27.0369 187.5263 5117433 234.4480 66.5498 5.54317437 87846
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
12.6
Diameter
3.6
Span
12.6
Dry Mass
4000
Launch Mass
4000
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
F9-122 St2
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
SPX
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
F9St2
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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