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Today's briefing covers Iceye's new aerospace service for defense clients, ESA's plan for dual-use satellites, and key defense agreements impacting satellite technology.
COSMOS 1231 (12110)
COSPAR: 1980-102D | Alt Name: Kosmos-1231
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 23, 1980
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC132/1
Launch Vehicle
Kosmos 11K65M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
12110
International Designator
1980-102D
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 19:43:32 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
74.00°
Right Ascension
327.22°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
32.18°
Period
114.55 min
Mean Motion
12.57 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 1231
Alternative Name
Kosmos-1231
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
GUKOSR
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 12110U 80102D 26184.82190058 -.00000015 00000-0 10331-4 0 9999
2 12110 73.9960 327.2156 0037097 32.1823 136.2783 12.57137954 89216
Source: Celestrak
Summary
COSMOS 1231 (also known as Kosmos-1231) is a military communication satellite launched on December 23, 1980, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome LC132/1 launch pad using a Kosmos 11K65M launch vehicle. The spacecraft has dimensions of 0.8 meters in length, diameter, and span with a dry mass of 60 kilograms. It was manufactured by NPOPM for GUKOSR (the Russian Ministry of Defense) and carries the Strela-1M Blok 26 No. 4 payload. The satellite's power source includes solar cells and batteries. Its shape is described as polyhedral with a radar cross-section (RCS) of 0.6854 square meters. COSMOS 1231 was in orbit for approximately six months serving its military communication mission.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.8
Diameter
0.8
Span
0.8
Dry Mass
60
Launch Mass
60
Shape
Poly
Radar Cross Section
0.6854
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Strela-1M Blok 26 No. 4
Purpose
Military Communication
Mission
Military Communication
Manufacturer
NPOPM
Life Expectancy
6 months
Bus
Strela-1 11F625
Configuration
Unknown
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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