Space Brief 2 Apr 2025
DARPA's accidental SpaceX detection highlights Earth as a natural sensor, while SpaceX's Fram2 launches into a polar orbit. Helsinki's defense budget rise hints at increased military satellite activity.
COSMOS 401 (05086)
COSPAR: 1971-023A | Alt Name: Kosmos-401
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 27, 1971
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC43/4
Launch Vehicle
Voskhod 11A57
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
05086
International Designator
1971-023A
Decay Date
4/9/1971
Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 401
Alternative Name
Kosmos-401
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
GUKOSR
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
Apologies, there is no summary for this satellite yet. I am working to generate these for every object in the catalog, but it is going to take time.
Physical Characteristics
Length
6
Diameter
2.2
Span
6
Dry Mass
2200
Launch Mass
2200
Shape
Sphere + DCone
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Rotor No. 19L
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
TSKBE3
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Zenit-4M
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.
Kulasekarapattinam SSLV Launch Complex
India's second spaceport solves a geometry problem. How ISRO is building a dedicated small satellite facility that eliminates the costly dogleg maneuvers plaguing polar launches from Sriharikota.
Space Brief 4 Sep 2025
Today's briefing covers a surprise launch by Israel, a milestone missile contract for Lockheed Martin, and updates on Indian missile defense strategies.
Voyager 1
In November 2023, Earth's most distant spacecraft started speaking gibberish. Five months, one dead memory chip, and 30 billion miles of round-trip troubleshooting later, engineers got it talking again - using code written before most of them were born.
Falcon 9 Booster Hits Record 35th Flight | KeepTrack X Report
A Falcon 9 booster sets a reusability record on its 35th flight during the Starlink 10-35 mission, the constellation's 53rd dedicated launch.
GPS III SV10 Launches on Falcon 9, X Report 20 Apr 2026
GPS III SV10 launched April 21 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 with 3x better accuracy and 8x anti-jamming. Starlink stands at 10,263 working satellites.
Space Brief 8 Aug 2025
Today's brief highlights significant shifts in military space spending due to the Golden Dome program, the U.S. Space Force's advancements in tactical satellite communications, and NASA's race to nuclear power in space.
X Report 13 Jan 2025
SpaceX gears up for a series of launches, including Starlink deployments, lunar missions, and updates on the Starship program.