The Day Humanity First Touched an Asteroid
Twenty-four years ago, a spacecraft designed only to orbit made history with an improvised landing on asteroid Eros, marking humanitys first controlled touchdown on a small celestial body
Launch Date
March 17, 2026
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
NORAD ID
68254
International Designator
2026-054Y
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 19:25:23 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
53.16°
Right Ascension
35.11°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
100.88°
Period
93.85 min
Mean Motion
15.34 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
STARLINK-37084
Alternative Name
N/A
Type
Status
Owner
SPXS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 68254U 26054Y 26200.80930493 .00023793 00000+0 71217-3 0 9992
2 68254 53.1594 35.1090 0001029 100.8765 259.2353 15.34440973 19336
Source: Celestrak
Length
0.3
Diameter
4.1
Span
29.0
Dry Mass
530
Launch Mass
575
Shape
Box + pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Starlink Group 10-46-23
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
SPXS
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Starlink V2MO
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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Twenty-four years ago, a spacecraft designed only to orbit made history with an improvised landing on asteroid Eros, marking humanitys first controlled touchdown on a small celestial body
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