The Day That Changed How We Navigate Forever
Forty-seven years ago, an Atlas rocket carried the first GPS satellite into orbit, launching a revolution in navigation that would transform daily life across the globe
CZ-6A R/B (61570)
COSPAR: 2024-185U | Alt Name: CZ-6A Y20 Stage 2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 15, 2024
Launch Site
TAISC
Launch Pad
TYSC -
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 6A
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
61570
International Designator
2024-185U
Epoch
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 05:19:28 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
89.02°
Right Ascension
51.23°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
83.12°
Period
99.19 min
Mean Motion
14.52 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
CZ-6A R/B
Alternative Name
CZ-6A Y20 Stage 2
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
CNSA
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 61570U 24185U 26201.22185661 .00000206 00000+0 43425-4 0 9990
2 61570 89.0201 51.2349 0100808 83.1184 278.1479 14.51801150 92451
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
11.5
Diameter
3.4
Span
11.5
Dry Mass
6000
Launch Mass
6000
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
CZ-6A Stage 2
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
SAST
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
CZ-6A Stage 2
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
YF-115
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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