Space Brief 29 May 2025
Today's brief covers a Japanese military satellite launch, new GPS satellite orders by the Space Force, and a Moog propulsion system contract, among other notable developments.
SL-3 R/B (06393)
COSPAR: 1973-015B | Alt Name: Vostok-2M (N29) Stage 3
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 20, 1973
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC41/1
Launch Vehicle
Vostok 8A92M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
06393
International Designator
1973-015B
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 19:04:13 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
81.26°
Right Ascension
3.14°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
356.10°
Period
102.46 min
Mean Motion
14.05 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SL-3 R/B
Alternative Name
Vostok-2M (N29) Stage 3
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RVSN
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 06393U 73015B 26184.79460418 .00000042 00000-0 17995-4 0 9998
2 06393 81.2556 3.1374 0058383 356.0961 3.9743 14.05440629730668
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
3.8
Diameter
2.6
Span
3.8
Dry Mass
1440
Launch Mass
1440
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
6.0719
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
8A92ME
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
PROG
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Blok-E
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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