Space Brief 1 Feb 2025
Today's brief covers advances in satellite docking technology, challenges faced by space companies with government navigation, and China's leap in space autonomy through AI developments.
CZ-8 R/B (63177)
COSPAR: 2025-046U | Alt Name: N/A
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 11, 2025
Launch Site
WSC
Launch Pad
LC1
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 8
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
63177
International Designator
2025-046U
Epoch
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 05:27:56 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
88.97°
Right Ascension
292.18°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
342.31°
Period
102.15 min
Mean Motion
14.10 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
CZ-8 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 63177U 25046U 26201.22773448 .00000072 00000+0 32653-4 0 9990
2 63177 88.9705 292.1769 0061395 342.3136 17.5910 14.09658199 79747
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
3.0
Span
12.4
Dry Mass
2800
Launch Mass
8400
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
CZ-8 Stage 2
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
CALT
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
CZ-3A Stage 3
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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