Near-Earth Object
2021 RC15
NASA ID: 54196412
2021 RC15 will pass Earth on 19 September 2026 at a distance of 65.1 lunar distances (LD) - about 25,023,061 km - travelling at 57,795 km/h. Its estimated diameter is between 17 and 37 metres, roughly the size of a double-decker bus (around 11 m long). NASA does not classify it as potentially hazardous.
Close Approach Date
19 September 2026
In 87 days
Miss Distance
65.1 LD
25,023,061 km
65 times the Moon's distance from Earth
Velocity
57,795 km/h
2.1 times the orbital speed of the International Space Station
Est. Diameter
17–37 m
Absolute Magnitude
H = 26.02
The brightness measure astronomers use to estimate size
Hazard Classification
Not Hazardous
The real orbit in 3D
The actual path of 2021 RC15 around the Sun, computed from JPL orbital elements. Drag to rotate, scroll to zoom, and use the time controls to run the orbit forwards or back.
Size Comparison
Reading the Numbers
- A lunar distance (LD) is the average gap between Earth and the Moon, about 384,400 km. It is the standard yardstick for close approaches. Read more →
- Diameter estimates come from brightness. A dark surface reflects less light than a bright one, so the true size can sit anywhere in the quoted range. Read more →
- Potentially hazardous is a watch-list label based on size and orbital proximity. It does not mean an impact is expected. Read more →
