The $30 Million Toilet That Keeps Breaking on the Way to the Moon
Sixty years of space toilet engineering, a decade of development, and a $30 million contract - and the Artemis II crew still had to pee in bags on Day 1.
SL-3 R/B (00832)
COSPAR: 1964-038D | Alt Name: Vostok 8K72 No. 19 Stage 3
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
July 10, 1964
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC1
Launch Vehicle
Vostok 8K72
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
00832
International Designator
1964-038D
Decay Date
8/24/1983
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SL-3 R/B
Alternative Name
Vostok 8K72 No. 19 Stage 3
Type
Rocket Body
Status
Space Junk
Owner
RVSN
Country
USSR
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
3.8
Diameter
2.6
Span
3.8
Dry Mass
1440
Launch Mass
1440
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
30.3607
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
8K72KE No. G103-19
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
PROG
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Blok-E
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.
AI Outperforms Human Planners in Air Force Battle Management Test | KeepTrack Space Brief
AI tools outperform human planners in Air Force battle management experiment. DARPA pursues quantum computing interoperability. Canada's Atlantic Spaceport Complex gets environmental approval.
Space Brief 29 Apr 2025
Today's space brief covers significant advancements in military counter-drone capabilities, workforce challenges in the Navy related to DOGE budget cuts, and highlights Germany's rise in defense spending. We also shine a spotlight on the communications satellite INTELSAT 901.
Space Brief 30 Aug 2024
Today's highlights include General Dynamics' contract extension with SDA, ABL Space Systems layoffs, NASA's Crew-9 mission adjustments, and Galactic Energy's successful satellite launch.
X Report 1 May 2025
SpaceX launches diabetes research mission to ISS; EU considers SES for Starlink support; Amazon's Kuiper enters satellite race.
X Report 3 Sep 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 24 Starlink satellites aboard a brand-new Falcon 9 rocket. The company aims for five missions this week, bolstering its satellite internet constellation.
Crew-12 Launches, Falcon 9 Makes First Landing at New LZ-40 Pad | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX launches Crew-12 to ISS and lands Falcon 9 booster at new LZ-40 pad for the first time. xAI restructures $18B in debt ahead of possible IPO. 6,000 Starlink terminals smuggled into Iran.
X Report 4 Jun 2025
SpaceX continues strong momentum in June with successful satellite launches, a new service from Telstra, and updates on upcoming missions. Key developments are shaping the future of both space travel and satellite communications.