Space Brief 27 Dec 2025
Today's Space Brief covers a notable satellite deployment in LEO, a leadership shift in Blue Origin's defense wing, and ongoing recovery efforts for NASA's MAVEN orbiter.
CZ-8A R/B (62980)
COSPAR: 2025-030K | Alt Name: N/A
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
February 11, 2025
Launch Site
WSC
Launch Pad
LC201
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 8A
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
62980
International Designator
2025-030K
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 14:09:46 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
50.00°
Right Ascension
158.06°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
133.71°
Period
100.49 min
Mean Motion
14.33 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
CZ-8A R/B
Alternative Name
N/A
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
CASC
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 62980U 25030K 26200.59012582 -.00000092 00000+0 26130-4 0 9994
2 62980 50.0041 158.0625 0117975 133.7123 227.3638 14.32979324 75012
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
12.4
Diameter
3.4
Span
12.4
Dry Mass
2800
Launch Mass
8000
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
CZ-8A Stage 2
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
CALT
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
CZ-8A Stage 2
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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