Space Brief 14 May 2025
Today's edition covers China's latest launches in their classified satellite programs, ongoing discussions in the U.S. Senate on missile defense, and the ever-escalating space debris crisis threatening national security.
COSMOS 1251 (12321)
COSPAR: 1981-022B | Alt Name: Kosmos-1251
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 6, 1981
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC132/2
Launch Vehicle
Kosmos 11K65M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
12321
International Designator
1981-022B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:04:52 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
74.03°
Right Ascension
42.17°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
125.66°
Period
114.60 min
Mean Motion
12.56 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 1251
Alternative Name
Kosmos-1251
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
GUKOS
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 12321U 81022B 26185.00338017 .00000000 00000-0 96231-4 0 9991
2 12321 74.0298 42.1737 0044159 125.6598 27.2163 12.56490832 79034
Source: Celestrak
Summary
COSMOS 1251 (also known as Kosmos-1251) is a military communication satellite launched on March 6, 1981, from the PLMSC launch site using the LC132/2 pad and a Kosmos 11K65M launch vehicle. The satellite has dimensions of 0.8 meters in length, diameter, and span with a dry mass of 60 kilograms. It was manufactured by NPOPM for GUKOS (Soviet Ministry of Defence) to serve military communication purposes and is powered by solar cells and batteries. COSMOS 1251 has a polyhedral shape with an RCS (Radar Cross Section) value of 0.6684. The satellite's payload consists of the Strela-1M Blok 27 No. 2 equipment, designed for military communication missions. Its operational lifetime was estimated at six months.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.8
Diameter
0.8
Span
0.8
Dry Mass
60
Launch Mass
60
Shape
Poly
Radar Cross Section
0.6684
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Strela-1M Blok 27 No. 2
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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Space Brief 12 Apr 2025
Highlights include significant advances in satellite refueling experiments, a key design milestone for missile defense, and a feature on the satellite Cosmos 2246.
Starlink Restrictions Disrupt Russian Battlefield Communications | KeepTrack Space Brief
Starlink restrictions reportedly hit Moscow's drone coordination and frontline comms. SpaceX and xAI enter Pentagon's $100M drone contest. Sentinel ICBM to clear key review this year.
Space Brief 29 Oct 2024
Today's space brief covers an impressive SpaceX launch record, China's upcoming crew mission to its space station, an Intelsat 33e debris observation, and more. Key topics include SpaceX's Starship events, ESA's Hera mission updates, and Boeing's potential space division sale.
Space Brief 6 Sep 2025
Today's brief covers China's latest experimental launch to GEO and new commercial satellites, insights from hyperspectral imagery on underground structures, and the Space Force's material testing for Mars missions.
X Report 29 Nov 2025
SpaceX successfully launched the Transporter-15 rideshare mission, deploying 140 payloads including significant international contributions. Meanwhile, the company progresses with Booster 19 stacking after the recent Booster 18 anomaly.
SpaceX Files Plans for Million-Satellite Orbital Data Center | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX files FCC plans for a million-satellite orbital data center constellation. Crew-12 launch timing depends on Artemis 2 mission. Cold weather delays launch window.
Space Brief 12 May 2025
Today's brief covers key industry movements in space logistics and satellite production, including Rocket Lab's new U.S. Air Force contract, Sierra Space's strides in GPS technology, and more.