Space Brief 27 Aug 2025
Today's key space events include SpaceX's launch of the secretive X-37B military drone, XTAR's U.S. defense market strategy, and China's space station AI upgrade.
CZ-6A DEB (61163)
COSPAR: 2024-140RH | Alt Name: deb CZ-6A Y21
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 6, 2024
Launch Site
TAISC
Launch Pad
TYSC -
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 6A
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
61163
International Designator
2024-140RH
Epoch
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:58:19 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
88.68°
Right Ascension
229.49°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
279.83°
Period
93.57 min
Mean Motion
15.39 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info
Name
CZ-6A DEB
Alternative Name
deb CZ-6A Y21
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
CNSA
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 61163U 24140RH 26201.04050602 .00034474 00000+0 81817-3 0 9995
2 61163 88.6762 229.4893 0071302 279.8320 79.4890 15.38876474104844
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
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
Technical Details
Payload
Unknown
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
SAST
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Unknown
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.
STS-30 | When Atlantis Sent a Radar to Venus
On May 4, 1989, Space Shuttle Atlantis lifted off from LC-39B carrying Magellan, NASA's first interplanetary mission since 1978. The eleven-year drought ended in a payload bay, and the radar that emerged would map ninety-eight percent of Venus through clouds that no camera could ever see through.
X Report 7 Oct 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 28 Starlink satellites on October 7, further expanding its broadband constellation while hosting an active launch schedule this week.
X Report 18 Sep 2025
SpaceX gears up for a busy week with new Starship testing and enhanced Starlink capabilities on the horizon.
X Report 20 Sep 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 24 Starlink satellites from California, enhancing its global internet coverage as the company continues to dominate the satellite communications market.
Space Brief 26 Feb 2025
Today's brief covers the crash of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket over Europe, the Space Force's mapping efforts with Iron Dome, and key military appointments and funding decisions.
X Report 2 Sep 2025
SpaceX kicks off a busy week with five Falcon 9 missions planned, while the impressive layout of Raptor engines on Starship captures imaginations.
Space Brief 9 Aug 2025
Today's briefing covers SpaceX's latest Starlink launch, Rocket Lab's upcoming Neutron rocket launch, NASA's lunar nuclear reactor project, and more.