ESA Buys Dedicated Crew Dragon Mission for 4 Astronauts | KeepTrack X Report
ESA is purchasing a dedicated SpaceX Crew Dragon flight to send 4 European astronauts to the ISS ahead of the station's planned retirement.
CZ-4C R/B (55838)
COSPAR: 2023-030C | Alt Name: CZ-4C Y51 Stage 3
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 9, 2023
Launch Site
TAISC
Launch Pad
LC9
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 4C
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
55838
International Designator
2023-030C
Epoch
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 02:04:56 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
98.90°
Right Ascension
245.01°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
122.19°
Period
101.27 min
Mean Motion
14.22 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info
Name
CZ-4C R/B
Alternative Name
CZ-4C Y51 Stage 3
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
CNSA
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 55838U 23030C 26201.08676281 .00000002 00000+0 20156-4 0 9995
2 55838 98.8996 245.0104 0087958 122.1898 238.7847 14.21902739174496
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-4C 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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Vulcan Grounding Could Last Months, Space Force Weighs Alternatives | KeepTrack Space Brief
ULA's Vulcan Centaur faces potential months-long stand-down. Space Force actively exploring payload reassignment and satellite operational life extensions to cover critical national security missions.
Space Brief 12 Jan 2025
Today's briefing covers significant events including launch delays for SpaceX's Starship and Blue Origin's New Glenn, BepiColombo's landmark Mercury flyby, and the impact of Los Angeles fires on the space community.
The Farming Satellite Iran Can't Launch Itself
Iran calls Kowsar 1.5 a private-sector farming satellite. Its 3.45-meter camera, its sun-synchronous orbit, and the Russian rocket that carried it point somewhere else entirely.
Vulcan Grounded as GEM 63XL Booster Passes Test | KeepTrack Space Brief
ULA's Vulcan remains grounded after February in-flight GEM 63XL booster anomaly. Northrop Grumman completed successful static fire test, but investigation ongoing with no return-to-flight date.
First Nuclear-Powered Commercial Satellite Flies on Transporter-17 | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX's Transporter-17 rideshare carried 81 payloads including history's first nuclear-powered commercial satellite on July 7.
Starlink Constellation Size Nears 10,000, X Report 16 Mar 2026
Starlink constellation size in March 2026: 9,996 satellites in orbit and 9,986 working from 11,504 launched, as SpaceX deorbits legacy V1.0 hardware.
Crew-11 Medical Evacuation Set for January 14, Starlink Mission Succeeds | KeepTrack X Report
NASA confirms first-ever ISS medical evacuation for January 14 via Crew Dragon. SpaceX launches 29 Starlink satellites in third mission of 2026. Artemis 2 moon mission timeline unaffected.