Space Brief 13 Dec 2025
Today's briefing covers a new naming system by Space Force, China's space advances, drone defense at Cape Canaveral, and more military updates impacting space operations.
COSMOS 1266 (12409)
COSPAR: 1981-037A | Alt Name: Kosmos-1266
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
April 21, 1981
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC90
Launch Vehicle
Tsiklon-2
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
12409
International Designator
1981-037A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:27:32 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
64.76°
Right Ascension
268.57°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
267.97°
Period
103.55 min
Mean Motion
13.91 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 1266
Alternative Name
Kosmos-1266
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
VMF
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 12409U 81037A 26185.22745777 -.00000061 00000-0 24710-4 0 9994
2 12409 64.7622 268.5728 0051232 267.9737 91.5456 13.90616153295053
Source: Celestrak
Summary
COSMOS 1266 (also known as Kosmos-1266) is an ocean surveillance satellite equipped with active radar and powered by a BES-5 nuclear reactor. Launched on April 21, 1981 from the TYSMC site using a Tsiklon-2 launch vehicle, it was stabilized in orbit by April 28, 1981. The satellite has dimensions of 5.8 meters in length and diameter, with a span of 5.8 meters. It weighs 1154 kilograms at both dry mass and launch mass. Manufactured by KOMET for the VMF (Vorvozno-Morskaya Flota), COSMOS 1266 carries a US-A No. 339 ROCh payload and is classified as having a "US-Bus" configuration, with its country of origin being the Soviet Union (SU).
Physical Characteristics
Length
5.8
Diameter
1.3
Span
5.8
Dry Mass
1154
Launch Mass
1154
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
2.2938
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
US-A No. 339 ROCh
Purpose
Ocean surveillance, active radar
Mission
Ocean surveillance, active radar
Manufacturer
KOMET
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
US-A reactor
Configuration
US-Bus
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Radar
Power System
BES-5 nuclear reactor
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.
Apogee and Perigee
Understanding the high and low points of every orbit - from the International Space Station's careful dance with Earth's atmosphere to the extreme ellipses that take satellites to the edge of space and back.
Space Brief 5 Nov 2024
Today's highlights include SpaceX's Dragon cargo mission to the ISS, the first wooden satellite launch, and updates on NASA's Voyager mission. Additionally, the Space Force's X-37B space plane showcases unique aerobraking strategies.
Space Brief 4 Apr 2025
Today's highlights include the release of a mystery object by Russian military satellites, SpaceX Fram2 mission insights, Amazon's upcoming satellite launch, and more.
The Day That Changed Spaceflight Forever
Thirty-nine years ago, the loss of Space Shuttle Challenger and its seven crew members forever transformed our approach to spaceflight safety and risk management
X Report 5 Feb 2025
SpaceX launches Maxar's high-resolution imaging satellites, Ontario reconsiders its Starlink contract, and the countdown to NASA's Lunar Trailblazer mission begins.
Falcon 9 Lofts 46 Payloads Including CAS500-2 | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX's third rideshare mission of 2026 delivered South Korea's CAS500-2 imager and 45 secondary payloads to Sun-synchronous orbit on Falcon 9.
Starship V3 Flight 12 Succeeds Despite Engine Shutdown | KeepTrack X Report
Starship V3 completed Flight 12 on May 22 despite one vacuum Raptor shutting down early, with SpaceX's IPO filing revealing bold Starlink Mobile ambitions.