# SL-14 rocket body

> defunct Soviet upper stage which orbited the Kosmos-1666 satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q126909091](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q126909091)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sl-14-rocket-body

## Summary
SL-14 rocket body is a defunct Soviet upper stage that orbited the Kosmos-1666 satellite after being launched on July 8, 1985, from Plesetsk Cosmodrome. This object later became space debris and was involved in a collision with the NEE-01 Pegaso satellite on May 13, 2013.

## Key Facts
- SL-14 rocket body has a North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) catalog number of 15890 and a COSPAR ID of 1985-058B
- It was launched on July 8, 1985, from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32
- The rocket body was part of a Tsyklon-3 launch vehicle (serial number 45042-301)
- SL-14 rocket body orbited the Kosmos-1666 satellite after separation from the launch vehicle
- It is classified as both a space tug and space debris
- The object was involved in a collision with the NEE-01 Pegaso satellite on May 13, 2013
- It originated from the Soviet Union's space program
- Alternative names include SL-14 R/B, Tsiklon-3 rocket body, Tsiklon-3 R/B, and Tsyklon-3 rocket body

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary function of the SL-14 rocket body?
A: The SL-14 rocket body functioned as a space tug, designed to move the payload from a reference orbit to a target orbit or direct it to an interplanetary trajectory.

### Q: When and where was the SL-14 rocket body launched?
A: It was launched on July 8, 1985, from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32 as part of the Tsyklon-3 launch vehicle mission that deployed the Kosmos-1666 satellite.

### Q: What happened to the SL-14 rocket body after its mission?
A: After completing its primary mission, the SL-14 rocket body became space debris and remained in orbit until it collided with the NEE-01 Pegaso satellite on May 13, 2013.

### Q: How can the SL-14 rocket body be identified?
A: It can be identified by its NORAD catalog number 15890 or its COSPAR ID 1985-058B, and it's also known by various aliases including SL-14 R/B and Tsiklon-3 rocket body.

## Why It Matters
The SL-14 rocket body represents a significant example of space debris resulting from early Soviet space operations. As a defunct upper stage from the Tsyklon-3 launch vehicle, it illustrates the long-term environmental impact of space activities, remaining in orbit decades after its mission ended. Its collision with the NEE-01 Pegaso satellite in 2013 underscores growing concerns about space traffic management and the potential hazards posed by orbital debris. This incident highlights the need for better mitigation strategies and the importance of tracking defunct spacecraft. The SL-14 rocket body serves as a case study for understanding how launch vehicle components evolve from functional equipment to space debris, providing valuable data for orbital debris researchers and space agencies working to ensure sustainable space operations.

## Notable For
- Notable for becoming space debris after its mission, exemplifying the orbital debris problem
- Recognized for its collision with the NEE-01 Pegaso satellite in 2013, which demonstrated the real-world consequences of space debris
- Identified by its dual classification as both a space tug (designed for orbital maneuvers) and space debris (its current status)
- Part of the Soviet space program's Tsyklon-3 launch vehicle system, a key component of Cold War-era space capabilities

## Body
### Technical Specifications
- NORAD catalog number: 15890
- COSPAR ID: 1985-058B
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- Launch vehicle: Tsyklon-3 (serial number: 45042-301)
- Alternative names: SL-14 R/B, Tsiklon-3 rocket body, Tsiklon-3 R/B, Tsyklon-3 rocket body

### Mission Details
- Launch date: July 8, 1985
- Launch location: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32
- Primary function: Space tug for orbital maneuvering
- Associated satellite: Kosmos-1666
- Mission type: Rocket launch

### Current Status
- Classification: Space debris
- Notable event: Collision with NEE-01 Pegaso on May 13, 2013
- Significance: Example of long-term space debris from early Soviet space operations

## References

1. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=15890)
2. [Source](https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/ODQNv17i3.pdf)
3. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_det/tsiklon-3.htm)