Space Brief 4 Mar 2025
Today's brief covers the historic lunar touchdown by Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander, highlights in military space activity, and a reflection on Pearl Young's pioneering legacy at NASA.
Launch Date
October 13, 1971
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC132/2
Launch Vehicle
Kosmos 11K65M
NORAD ID
56998
International Designator
1971-086L
Epoch
Sun, 28 Jun 2026 03:35:58 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
74.03°
Right Ascension
347.55°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
291.53°
Period
117.29 min
Mean Motion
12.28 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
SL-8 DEB
Alternative Name
deb Kosmos-3M
Type
Status
Owner
RVSN
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 56998U 71086L 26179.14998715 .00000023 00000-0 33404-3 0 9990
2 56998 74.0253 347.5502 0074651 291.5324 67.7769 12.27776485559465
Source: Celestrak
Length
0
Diameter
0
Span
0
Dry Mass
0
Launch Mass
0
Shape
N/A
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Unknown
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
RVSN
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Unknown
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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Today's brief covers the historic lunar touchdown by Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander, highlights in military space activity, and a reflection on Pearl Young's pioneering legacy at NASA.
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