EUTELSAT 172B
Europe's first high-power all-electric telecom satellite doesn't just sit above the Pacific - it got there on robotic arms and plasma thrusters, broke records doing it, and now keeps your airplane Wi-Fi running between LA and Tokyo.
RADUGA 8 (12351)
COSPAR: 1981-027A | Alt Name: Raduga
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 18, 1981
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC200/40
Launch Vehicle
Proton-K/DM
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
12351
International Designator
1981-027A
Epoch
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 06:45:09 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
6.25°
Right Ascension
289.28°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
274.65°
Period
1434.16 min
Mean Motion
1.00 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
RADUGA 8
Alternative Name
Raduga
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
GUKOS
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 12351U 81027A 26183.28136558 -.00000221 00000-0 00000+0 0 9993
2 12351 6.2549 289.2848 0080441 274.6490 95.4765 1.00406934122705
Source: Celestrak
Summary
RADUGA 8 is a communication satellite launched by GUKOS on March 18, 1981, from TYSMS using a Proton-K/DM launch vehicle at LC200/40. The spacecraft measures 5.5 meters in length with a diameter of 2.5 meters and has a span of 9.5 meters. It had a launch mass of 1965 kg and a dry mass of 1800 kg, equipped with three Delta-1 C-Band transponders and three Delta-2 C-Band transponders for its communication mission. The satellite is powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. Its shape consists of a stepped cylinder with two panels and has an RCS value of 1.2619. RADUGA 8 was manufactured by NPOPM and had a planned lifetime of three years.
Physical Characteristics
Length
5.5
Diameter
2.5
Span
9.5
Dry Mass
1800
Launch Mass
1965
Shape
Step Cyl + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
1.2619
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Gran' No. 18L
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
NPOPM
Life Expectancy
3 years
Bus
Raduga
Configuration
KAUR-3
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
3 Delta-1 C-Band transponders, 3 Delta-2 C-Band transponders
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, 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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