X Report 17 Jan 2025
SpaceX marks another milestone and setback with Starship Flight 7, achieving a successful booster catch but losing the upper stage during ascent.
ATLAS CENTAUR R/B (06797)
COSPAR: 1973-058B | Alt Name: Centaur D-1A AC-31
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 23, 1973
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC36A
Launch Vehicle
Atlas SLV-3D Centaur
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
06797
International Designator
1973-058B
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 15:10:02 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
27.12°
Right Ascension
179.15°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
303.13°
Period
648.79 min
Mean Motion
2.22 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ATLAS CENTAUR R/B
Alternative Name
Centaur D-1A AC-31
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
LERC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 06797U 73058B 26184.63197586 .00000092 00000-0 56141-3 0 9999
2 06797 27.1180 179.1541 7226776 303.1254 7.2206 2.21952587427699
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
9.1
Diameter
3.1
Span
9.1
Dry Mass
1770
Launch Mass
2000
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
13.6123
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Centaur D-1A AC-31
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
GDC
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Centaur
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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