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COSMOS 1278 (12547)
COSPAR: 1981-058A | Alt Name: Kosmos-1278
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
June 19, 1981
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC43/3
Launch Vehicle
Molniya 8K78M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
12547
International Designator
1981-058A
Decay Date
9/2/2000
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 1278
Alternative Name
Kosmos-1278
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
PVO
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
COSMOS 1278, also known as Kosmos-1278, is an early warning satellite operated by PVO and launched on June 19, 1981, from PLMSC LC43/3 using the Molniya 8K78M launch vehicle. Manufactured by NPOL/KOMET, the spacecraft has dimensions of 4 meters in length, 2 meters in diameter, and a span of 5 meters. It carries an Oko 5V95 No. 6011 payload for early warning purposes and is equipped with two deployable fixed solar arrays and batteries for power supply. The satellite has a dry mass of 1150 kilograms and a launch mass of 1250 kilograms. Its shape consists of a cylinder plus two panels, and it has an RCS value of 12.0504. Launched by the Soviet Union (SU), COSMOS 1278 serves as part of the early warning system for military surveillance.
Physical Characteristics
Length
4
Diameter
2
Span
5
Dry Mass
1150
Launch Mass
1250
Shape
Cyl + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
12.0504
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Oko 5V95 No. 6011
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
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