X Report 5 Feb 2025
SpaceX launches Maxar's high-resolution imaging satellites, Ontario reconsiders its Starlink contract, and the countdown to NASA's Lunar Trailblazer mission begins.
ELECTRON KICK STAGE R/B (61226)
COSPAR: 2024-172G | Alt Name: Electron 53 Kick Stage
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
September 20, 2024
Launch Site
RLLB
Launch Pad
LC1A
Launch Vehicle
Electron
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
61226
International Designator
2024-172G
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 19:28:17 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
98.02°
Right Ascension
312.24°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
2.47°
Period
96.08 min
Mean Motion
14.99 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ELECTRON KICK STAGE R/B
Alternative Name
Electron 53 Kick Stage
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RLABN
Country
New Zealand
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 61226U 24172G 26200.81131668 .00001071 00000+0 92245-4 0 9991
2 61226 98.0184 312.2404 0047991 2.4719 357.6731 14.98781953 99586
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
0.4
Diameter
1.2
Span
1.2
Dry Mass
50
Launch Mass
50
Shape
Trunc cone
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Electron Kick Stage
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
RLABN
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Kick Stage
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Curie
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.
X Report 23 Nov 2025
SpaceX continues its robust launch cadence with new Starlink deployments and faces challenges in Starship development following the recent damage to its prototype booster.
Space Brief 15 Dec 2024
Anticipated NISAR launch now scheduled for March 2025; Rivada persists in broadband constellation quest despite setbacks; SpaceX scrubbed RRT-1 launch holds mystery.
Astroscale Taps Isar for ELSA-M Debris Mission | KeepTrack Space Brief
Astroscale selects Isar Aerospace to launch ELSA-M, a commercial deorbit mission targeting defunct satellites in LEO. Over 20,000 trackable debris objects now in orbit.
X Report 3 Jan 2025
SpaceX's pivotal role in setting a new global launch record and the upcoming launch of the Thuraya 4-NGS satellite are spotlighted today.
SpaceX and xAI Tapped for Pentagon's $100M Drone Contest | KeepTrack X Report
Pentagon selects SpaceX and xAI for $100M autonomous drone competition. Two Falcon 9 rockets launch Starlink sats from California and Florida. 11,215 total Starlink satellites launched.
Space Brief 18 Mar 2025
Today's Space Brief covers the reentry of Firefly's Blue Ghost moon lander, a compelling study on space debris exacerbated by climate change, and new advancements from the Vera Rubin Observatory.
Space Brief 15 Jul 2025
Today's brief covers new military space funding, intriguing scientific discoveries, and defense contracts impacting global military strategies.