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COSMOS 1238 (12138)
COSPAR: 1981-003A | Alt Name: Kosmos-1238
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
January 16, 1981
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC132/1
Launch Vehicle
Kosmos 11K65M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
12138
International Designator
1981-003A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:17:49 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
82.96°
Right Ascension
204.72°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
25.44°
Period
101.89 min
Mean Motion
14.13 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 1238
Alternative Name
Kosmos-1238
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
PVO
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 12138U 81003A 26185.13737597 .00005280 00000-0 35085-3 0 9990
2 12138 82.9564 204.7243 0637291 25.4385 337.6754 14.13315071272303
Source: Celestrak
Summary
COSMOS 1238 (also known as Kosmos-1238) is a radar calibration satellite launched by the Soviet Union on January 16, 1981, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Kosmos 11K65M launch vehicle. The spacecraft is spherical in shape with a diameter of 2 meters and has a dry mass of 570 kilograms. It was manufactured by YUZH for the PVO (Air Defence Forces) and carries a Taifun-1V payload. Power is provided by solar cells and batteries. The satellite's main purpose is radar calibration, and it does not have any additional motor or equipment listed. Its reflectivity factor (RCS) is 2.954 square meters.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2
Diameter
2
Span
2
Dry Mass
570
Launch Mass
570
Shape
Sphere
Radar Cross Section
2.954
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Taifun-1V
Purpose
Radar calibration
Mission
Radar calibration
Manufacturer
YUZH
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Vektor
Configuration
2 m sphere
Motor
None
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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