M-3C R/B (07674)

COSPAR: 1975-014B | Alt Name: M-3C-2 Stage 3

DECAYED

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

February 24, 1975

Launch Site

KSCUT

Launch Pad

Launch Vehicle

Mu-3C

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

07674

International Designator

1975-014B

Decay Date

5/17/1980

Basic Satellite Info

Name

M-3C R/B

Alternative Name

M-3C-2 Stage 3

Type

Rocket Body

Status

Space Junk

Owner

ISAS

Country

Japan

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

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

2.3

Diameter

1.1

Span

2.3

Dry Mass

130

Launch Mass

130

Shape

Sphere + Cone

Radar Cross Section

2.263

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

M-3A

Purpose

Unknown

Mission

Unknown

Manufacturer

NISS

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

M-3A

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

Unknown

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

Unknown

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

The Telescope That Needed Glasses

On April 25, 1990, the Space Shuttle Discovery's robotic arm lifted a 11,110-kilogram barrel of mirrors and instruments out of the payload bay and released it into orbit. Six weeks later, the first images came back badly out of focus. The Hubble Space Telescope had been ground to the wrong prescription, and America had just spent $2.5 billion on what the press was calling a 'technoturkey.'

Rocket Lab Wins $190M Pentagon Hypersonic Contract | KeepTrack Space Brief

Rocket Lab secures $190M Pentagon deal for 20 hypersonic test flights over 4 years using Electron. Five missions annually trackable via Space-Track.

X Report 2 Jun 2025

SpaceX delays the launch of 23 Starlink satellites due to geomagnetic storm concerns, adjusting the schedule for an upcoming Falcon 9 mission.

X Report 28 Feb 2025

SpaceX postpones Starship Flight 8, successfully launches Starlink satellites and two lunar missions.

Space Brief 20 Aug 2025

Today's Space Brief highlights Globalstar's new military focus, technological innovations in the Army's tactical systems, and a deeper look at key military satellite communications developments.

Space Brief 16 Sep 2024

Highlights of the day include the Polaris Dawn mission's splashdown, advances in space traffic management, and intriguing astronomy insights from the cloud's edge.

Van Allen Probe A Reenters After 14 Years; NASA Designates Starliner Type A Mishap | KeepTrack Space Brief

NASA's 590 kg Van Allen Probe A reentered March 10 after 14 years studying Earth's radiation belts. Meanwhile, Boeing Starliner classified as Type A mishap after leaving astronauts stranded on ISS.

Space Brief 30 Oct 2024

Today's briefing covers China's successful Shenzhou 19 launch to the Tiangong space station, NASA's upcoming spacewalks plan after a spacesuit issue, and innovative propulsion research for space journeys.