Space Brief 31 Jul 2025
Today's Space Brief brings updates on the U.S. Space Force's upcoming missions, in-space technology strategies, the challenges faced by new launchers, and advancements in satellite communication.
COSMOS 1226 (12091)
COSPAR: 1980-099A | Alt Name: Kosmos-1226
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 10, 1980
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC132/1
Launch Vehicle
Kosmos 11K65M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
12091
International Designator
1980-099A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:29:33 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
82.94°
Right Ascension
351.50°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
18.18°
Period
104.75 min
Mean Motion
13.75 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 1226
Alternative Name
Kosmos-1226
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
VMF
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 12091U 80099A 26184.93719247 .00000039 00000-0 25046-4 0 9995
2 12091 82.9417 351.5047 0033913 18.1762 145.0506 13.74723463285056
Source: Celestrak
Summary
COSMOS 1226 (also known as Kosmos-1226) is a KAUR-1 satellite manufactured by OAZ and launched on December 10, 1980, from the PLMSC launch site using the Kosmos 11K65M vehicle. It was owned by VMF and operated for navigation purposes with a mission lifetime of 1.5 to 2 years. The spacecraft measures 5 meters in length, has a diameter of 2.1 meters, and features an antenna span of 17 meters. Its dry mass is 800 kg, which was also its launch mass. Power for the satellite comes from solar cells with battery support. It carries the Tsikada payload and has a shape described as cylindrical with antennas attached. The RCS value is given as 1.8449.
Physical Characteristics
Length
5
Diameter
2.1
Span
17
Dry Mass
800
Launch Mass
800
Shape
Cyl + Ant
Radar Cross Section
1.8449
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Tsikada
Purpose
Navigation
Mission
Navigation
Manufacturer
OAZ
Life Expectancy
1.5 to 2 years
Bus
KAUR-1 11F643
Configuration
KAUR-1
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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