Starlink Constellation Size Nears 10,000, X Report 16 Mar 2026
Starlink constellation size in March 2026: 9,996 satellites in orbit and 9,986 working from 11,504 launched, as SpaceX deorbits legacy V1.0 hardware.
COSMOS 1236 (12121)
COSPAR: 1980-105A | Alt Name: Kosmos-1236
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 26, 1980
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC41/1
Launch Vehicle
Soyuz-U
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
12121
International Designator
1980-105A
Decay Date
1/21/1981
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 1236
Alternative Name
Kosmos-1236
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
GUKOSR
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
COSMOS 1236 (also known as Kosmos-1236) is a satellite launched on December 26, 1980, from the PLMSC launch site using a Soyuz-U launch vehicle from LC41/1 pad. This satellite is part of the Yantar'-2K bus and has dimensions including a length of 6.3 meters, diameter of 2.7 meters, and span of 6.3 meters. Its dry mass at launch was 2886 kg, which also represents its launch mass. The satellite's shape is described as "Cone + Cyl" with a radar cross-section (RCS) of 17.8 square meters. It was manufactured by TSSKB and owned by GUKOSR. Its payload includes Feniks No. 14L (941).
Physical Characteristics
Length
6.3
Diameter
2.7
Span
6.3
Dry Mass
2886
Launch Mass
2886
Shape
Cone + Cyl
Radar Cross Section
17.8
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Feniks No. 14L (941)
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
TSSKB
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Yantar'-2K
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.
Space Brief 31 Mar 2025
Today's brief covers significant space events, including milestone national security certifications for ULA Vulcan and Rocket Lab, SpaceX's groundbreaking polar orbit mission, and a failed launch attempt by Isar Aerospace.
STS-51B | Three-Tenths of a Second from Disaster
Forty years ago today, Challenger lifted off LC-39A on a science mission that nobody outside Morton-Thiokol would call dangerous. Years later, after the orbiter and seven other astronauts were gone, investigators looked at the recovered boosters from STS-51B and realized the crew had come within a fraction of a second of dying first. This is the story of the launch that should have been a warning.
X Report 1 Apr 2025
SpaceX launches its first crewed mission over Earth's poles and FAA concludes investigation into the Starship Flight 7 incident.
Space Brief 2 Jul 2025
Explore today's major events in space, including military advancements in satellite tracking, new missile defenses, and significant defense funding decisions.
Space Brief 26 Nov 2024
Today's headlines include new launch schedules, military industrial base challenges, and NASA's exploration of historic Cold War sites. Discover significant space events and satellite insights.
X Report 20 May 2025
SpaceX gears up for new Starlink shell deployment and secures updated licensing for Starship, amidst ongoing preparations for Falcon 9 launches.
Space Force Completes First Tactical Orbital Intercept | KeepTrack Space Brief
U.S. Space Force executes first tactical orbital intercept under Victus Haze mission using commercial spacecraft. Rendezvous and proximity operations now operationally demonstrated.