SpaceX Launches CAS500-2 and 44 Rideshares, Space Brief 3 May 2026
SpaceX CAS500-2 launch success: Falcon 9 flew May 3 at 0700 UTC from Vandenberg with South Korea's imaging satellite and 44 rideshare payloads.
FALCON 9 R/B (55972)
COSPAR: 2023-038C | Alt Name: Falcon 9-213 Stage 2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 17, 2023
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
55972
International Designator
2023-038C
Epoch
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 02:07:33 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
26.90°
Right Ascension
118.67°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
340.27°
Period
339.98 min
Mean Motion
4.24 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
FALCON 9 R/B
Alternative Name
Falcon 9-213 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 55972U 23038C 26201.08857679 .00001823 00000+0 80732-3 0 9991
2 55972 26.8995 118.6746 5836794 340.2688 4.2924 04.23557776 51334
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
F9-213 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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