The Day America Entered the Space Age
Sixty-seven years ago, a slender rocket carried America's first satellite into orbit, discovering a mysterious feature of our planet that would change our understanding of space forever
SL-8 DEB (09838)
COSPAR: 1976-001K | Alt Name: deb Kosmos-787
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
January 6, 1976
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC132/1
Launch Vehicle
Kosmos 11K65M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
09838
International Designator
1976-001K
Decay Date
7/30/1977
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SL-8 DEB
Alternative Name
deb Kosmos-787
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
GRU
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
Space debris, also known as space junk, encompasses all non-functional objects orbiting Earth such as defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from collisions or disintegrations. Over time, this debris can accumulate and create an increasingly hazardous environment in orbit. Even tiny fragments, traveling at extremely high velocities, can inflict significant damage on operational satellites and spacecraft. If left unmanaged, the density of debris raises the risk of catastrophic collisions and further fragmentation, compounding the problem and threatening the safety and sustainability of space activities.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0
Diameter
0
Span
0
Dry Mass
0
Launch Mass
0
Shape
N/A
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Tselina-O part
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
Unknown
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Unknown
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.
SpinLaunch's Kinetic Launch System
How a California startup's massive centrifuge could transform space access by eliminating rocket fuel, reducing costs by 70%, and enabling daily satellite launches - if it can overcome the physics of scaling from suborbital tests to orbital reality
Pentagon Allocates $8B for Space-Based Moving Target Tracking | KeepTrack Space Brief
Pentagon requests $8 billion for space-based moving target tracking constellation in FY2027 budget. New NORAD IDs expected as Space Force expands orbital ISR capabilities.
Space Force Eyes Space Tugs, On-Orbit Refueling by 2030 | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force commits to operational space tugs and on-orbit refueling by 2030. New capabilities will complicate conjunction analysis for GEO and MEO satellite tracking.
Space Brief 17 May 2025
Today's brief covers SES's satellite orchestration, SpaceX's defense role, cyber scorecards in DoD, and more.
SpaceX Accuses Amazon of Debris Violations at FCC | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX filed an FCC complaint against Amazon over orbital debris violations as Starship V3 gets a maiden voyage date and a $178.5M Space Force deal lands.
CelesTrak.org
An in-depth look at CelesTrak, the leading non-profit provider of orbital element sets and collision assessment tools, trusted by space professionals worldwide.
Space Brief 17 Apr 2025
Today's brief covers the redeployment of decommissioned missile technologies to orbital duties, Germany's plans for a sovereign communications network, and fresh developments in hypersonic testing through Rocket Lab.