Space Brief 18 Nov 2024
Today's brief highlights a Starlink satellite launch, an OpTech optical sensor contract for the Space Force, and a unique STEM experiment involving space-flown seeds.
THOR AGENA D R/B (00815)
COSPAR: 1964-031C | Alt Name: Agena D 2304
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
June 18, 1964
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
75-3-4
Launch Vehicle
Thor SLV-2 Agena D
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
00815
International Designator
1964-031C
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 12:11:51 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
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Inclination
99.82°
Right Ascension
136.87°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
251.45°
Period
100.80 min
Mean Motion
14.29 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
THOR AGENA D R/B
Alternative Name
Agena D 2304
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
AFSSD
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 00815U 64031C 26184.50823161 .00000186 00000-0 96054-4 0 9998
2 00815 99.8223 136.8656 0010713 251.4462 108.5552 14.28512861223337
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
6.3
Diameter
1.5
Span
6.3
Dry Mass
600
Launch Mass
600
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
4.9753
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Agena D
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
LMSC
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Agena D
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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