Space Brief 16 Dec 2024
Today's briefing covers the ULA's military application for Vulcan's upper stage, FAA's efforts to expedite launch licensing, and a fascinating flyby of Mercury by BepiColombo.
SL-8 R/B (07009)
COSPAR: 1973-109B | Alt Name: Kosmos-3M 33-204 Stage 2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 29, 1973
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC132/2
Launch Vehicle
Kosmos 11K65M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
07009
International Designator
1973-109B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 06:20:31 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
82.95°
Right Ascension
9.80°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
355.78°
Period
104.57 min
Mean Motion
13.77 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SL-8 R/B
Alternative Name
Kosmos-3M 33-204 Stage 2
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RVSN
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 07009U 73109B 26185.26424929 -.00000008 00000-0 -23606-4 0 9997
2 07009 82.9483 9.8004 0019356 355.7769 177.4212 13.77049996637745
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
4.2
Diameter
2.4
Span
4.2
Dry Mass
1434
Launch Mass
1434
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
3.892
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
S3M
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
OAZ
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
S3
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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
X Report 8 Dec 2024
SpaceX successfully launched 23 Starlink satellites, enhancing Direct to Cell capabilities from Florida's Space Coast.
X Report 16 Jan 2025
SpaceX launches dual lunar landers while Starship Flight 7 faces weather delay.
X Report 8 Aug 2025
SpaceX celebrates its 100th launch of the year with a Falcon 9 mission carrying Amazon's Project Kuiper satellites, while Crew-10 prepares for its return from the ISS and the company expands its interplanetary ambitions with new Mars partnerships.
Musk Pivots SpaceX Focus to Moon Settlement Before Mars | KeepTrack X Report
Elon Musk shifts SpaceX's priority to lunar settlement before Mars colonization. Crew-12 launch delayed by weather to Feb 12. SpaceX partners with Hexagon Purus for manufacturing.
X Report 5 May 2025
SpaceX celebrated Star Wars Day with a successful launch of Starlink satellites, furthering its mission to enhance global internet access. Lego also revealed a new collectible set tied to the franchise.
Space Brief 17 Feb 2025
Today's brief covers the first astronaut with a disability preparing for the ISS mission, SpaceX’s recent Starlink launch, funding breakthroughs for satellite tech company K2 Space, and updates on the Artemis program's challenges.
Space Object Catalog
The master ledger of everything orbiting Earth: how tens of thousands of satellites, rocket bodies, and debris fragments are tracked and numbered