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COSMOS 1261 (12376)
COSPAR: 1981-031A | Alt Name: Kosmos-1261
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 31, 1981
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC41/1
Launch Vehicle
Molniya 8K78M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
12376
International Designator
1981-031A
Epoch
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 11:32:12 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
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Inclination
68.91°
Right Ascension
88.62°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
350.23°
Period
717.20 min
Mean Motion
2.01 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 1261
Alternative Name
Kosmos-1261
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
PVO
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 12376U 81031A 26183.48070405 .00000283 00000-0 00000-0 0 9993
2 12376 68.9114 88.6215 5845354 350.2262 2.1783 2.00780876227789
Source: Celestrak
Summary
COSMOS 1261 (also known as Kosmos-1261) is an early warning satellite manufactured by NPOL/KOMET and owned by PVO. Launched on March 31, 1981, from the PLMSC launch site using a Molniya 8K78M launch vehicle, it has a configuration of Bus type Oko with dimensions of 4 meters in length, 2 meters in diameter, and spans 5 meters. The satellite weighs 1150 kilograms dry and had a launch mass of 1250 kilograms. It is equipped with two deployable fixed solar arrays and batteries for power supply. Its shape consists of a cylinder with two panels (Cyl + 2 Pan), and it has a radar cross-section (RCS) of 8.549 square meters. The satellite's purpose is early warning, and its payload includes the Oko 5V95 No. 5004 system.
Physical Characteristics
Length
4
Diameter
2
Span
5
Dry Mass
1150
Launch Mass
1250
Shape
Cyl + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
8.549
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Oko 5V95 No. 5004
Purpose
Early warning
Mission
Early warning
Manufacturer
NPOL/KOMET
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Oko
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
2 deployable fixed 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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