Space Brief 13 Apr 2025
SpaceX launches a doubleheader of satellites while Blue Origin prepares for a historic all-female spaceflight. Also, meet FORMOSAT-5 in our Satellite Spotlight.
Launch Date
December 19, 1973
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC132/2
Launch Vehicle
Kosmos 11K65M
NORAD ID
06986
International Designator
1973-104B
Epoch
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 11:39:18 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
74.03°
Right Ascension
288.62°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
66.64°
Period
115.21 min
Mean Motion
12.50 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Name
COSMOS 618
Alternative Name
Kosmos-618
Type
Status
Owner
GUKOSR
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 06986U 73104B 26201.48563494 -.00000013 00000+0 14727-4 0 9997
2 06986 74.0303 288.6218 0026879 66.6359 313.1218 12.49928847399396
Source: Celestrak
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.
Length
0.8
Diameter
0.8
Span
0.8
Dry Mass
60
Launch Mass
60
Shape
Poly
Radar Cross Section
0.6493
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Strela-1M Blok 08 No. 2
Purpose
Military Communication
Mission
Military Communication
Manufacturer
OKB10
Life Expectancy
6 months
Bus
Strela-1 11F625
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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