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COSMOS 1242 (12154)
COSPAR: 1981-008A | Alt Name: Kosmos-1242
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
January 27, 1981
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC43/3
Launch Vehicle
Vostok 8A92M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
12154
International Designator
1981-008A
Decay Date
5/8/2014
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 1242
Alternative Name
Kosmos-1242
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
GRU
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
COSMOS 1242 (also known as Kosmos-1242) is a SIGINT satellite launched on January 27, 1981, from the PLMSC launch site using the Vostok 8A92M launch vehicle. The spacecraft, manufactured by YUZH and operated by GRU, measures 3.2 meters in length with a diameter of 1.3 meters and a span of 13.1 meters. It has a dry mass of 1750 kg and was equipped with two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power. The satellite's mission was to conduct SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) operations using the Ikar No. 25L payload. Its shape is described as cylindrical with an antenna, and it had a reflective surface area (RCS) of 8.3499 square meters. The expected lifetime of COSMOS 1242 was approximately 6 months.
Physical Characteristics
Length
3.2
Diameter
1.3
Span
13.1
Dry Mass
1750
Launch Mass
1750
Shape
Cyl + Ant
Radar Cross Section
8.3499
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Ikar No. 25L
Purpose
SIGINT
Mission
SIGINT
Manufacturer
YUZH
Life Expectancy
6 months
Bus
Tselina-D
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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