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Today's highlights include Rocket Lab's progress on the Space Force's VICTUS HAZE mission, BlackSky's new government contract, and AEI's policy recommendations for Space Force restructuring.
DELTA 1 R/B (00050)
COSPAR: 1960-009B | Alt Name: Delta 2 Stage 3
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 12, 1960
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC17A
Launch Vehicle
Thor Delta
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
00050
International Designator
1960-009B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:42:57 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
47.23°
Right Ascension
108.80°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
65.50°
Period
118.02 min
Mean Motion
12.20 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
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Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
DELTA 1 R/B
Alternative Name
Delta 2 Stage 3
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 00050U 60009B 26185.23816627 -.00000030 00000-0 53363-3 0 9994
2 00050 47.2291 108.7993 0113410 65.4979 295.7588 12.20166986939780
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
1.5
Diameter
0.5
Span
1.5
Dry Mass
24
Launch Mass
24
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
0.594
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Altair X-248-A5 S/N 3012
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
ABL
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Altair
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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