ATLAS 5 CENTAUR DEB (52971)

COSPAR: 2018-079GV | Alt Name: deb Centaur AV-073

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

October 17, 2018

Launch Site

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Launch Pad

SLC41

Launch Vehicle

Atlas V 551

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

52971

International Designator

2018-079GV

Epoch

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 02:05:44 GMT

Apogee

Calculating...

Perigee

Calculating...

Inclination

13.11°

Right Ascension

35.32°

Eccentricity

Calculating...

Argument of Perigee

324.26°

Period

789.96 min

Mean Motion

1.82 rev/day

Latitude

Calculating...

Longitude

Calculating...

Altitude

Calculating...

Velocity

Calculating...

Polar Plot

3D Visualization

Explore in the Catalog

United States satellites Debris

Basic Satellite Info

Name

ATLAS 5 CENTAUR DEB

Alternative Name

deb Centaur AV-073

Type

Debris

Status

Space Junk

Owner

ULAL

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 52971U 18079GV  26189.08731882 -.00000056  00000+0  00000+0 0  9992

2 52971  13.1059  35.3161 4770952 324.2586  11.5805 01.82286958 31247

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

Diameter

Span

Dry Mass

Launch Mass

Shape

N/A

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Unknown

Purpose

Unknown

Mission

Unknown

Manufacturer

ULAD

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

Unknown

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

Unknown

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

Unknown

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map

This tool will help you track the satellite's position and predict its upcoming passes over your location. Simply input the coordinates or click the geolocation button to get started.

Latitude

Longitude

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.

Object 100000 and the Sky That Outgrew Its Catalog

On July 11, 2026, a Portuguese satellite named after a Nobel laureate became the first object to carry catalog number 100000. It broke a five-digit numbering limit that had held since Sputnik, and exposed how unprepared decades of tracking software is for a sky this crowded.

Space Brief 7 Jul 2025

Today's key topics include the halting of the U.S. Air Force's rocket landing pad plans, the Space Force's shift to a flexible satellite strategy, delays in Australia's Eris 1 rocket launch, and the controversial cut of satellite sea-ice data to climate scientists.

Virgin Galactic's Upcoming "Galactic 06" Spaceflight

On January 26, 2024, Virgin Galactic's "Galactic 06" mission will launch, marking its 11th spaceflight.

Starlink Crosses 10,000 Active Satellites, X Report 18 Mar 2026

Starlink satellite count 2026: SpaceX tops 10,000 active satellites, 10,037 working of 11,558 launched, under seven years after first launch.

X Report 1 Jan 2025

SpaceX wraps up a record-breaking year with an impressive launch count, while the Starship program looks to make significant advancements in 2025.

X Report 23 Oct 2025

SpaceX continues to break records with its Falcon 9 missions while facing public scrutiny from Elon Musk regarding NASA's leadership. Meanwhile, satellite spectrum battles heat up as Lynk Global and Omnispace prepare to merge.

SpaceX Wins $178.5M Space Force Contract, X Report 3 Apr 2026

SpaceX secured a $178.5M Space Force contract to launch missile-tracking satellites from 2027, backing the Missile Track Custody threat-tracking layer.

Space Brief 14 Jul 2025

Today's briefing covers the latest developments in satellite intelligence funding, new mandates affecting space launch and missile defense, and the early conclusion of a private astronaut mission. We also discuss Firefly Aerospace's plans to go public and stunning imagery from NASA's Parker Solar Probe.