Space Brief 22 May 2025
Today's brief covers strategic alignments in U.S. military space operations, a landmark missile defense program, and advances in secure satellite communications.
RADUGA 10 (12897)
COSPAR: 1981-102A | Alt Name: Raduga
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 9, 1981
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC200/39
Launch Vehicle
Proton-K/DM
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
12897
International Designator
1981-102A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 21:08:16 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
6.67°
Right Ascension
294.74°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
255.24°
Period
1435.75 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
RADUGA 10
Alternative Name
Raduga
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
GUKOS
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 12897U 81102A 26184.88074453 -.00000090 00000-0 00000-0 0 9999
2 12897 6.6703 294.7409 0003185 255.2439 124.7835 1.00296205117513
Source: Celestrak
Summary
RADUGA 10, also known as Raduga, is a communication satellite launched on October 9, 1981, from the Tyuratam Space Center Launch Pad LC200/39 using a Proton-K/DM launch vehicle. The spacecraft has dimensions of 5.5 meters in length and 2.5 meters in diameter, with a span of 9.5 meters. It features two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power supply. RADUGA 10 is equipped with six C-Band transponders (3 Delta-1 and 3 Delta-2) and has a dry mass of 1800 kilograms, with a launch mass of 1965 kilograms. The satellite was manufactured by NPOPM for the Soviet Union’s GUKOS (Main Directorate of Space Systems). It operated on a mission to provide communication services and had a planned lifetime of three years. The spacecraft's shape is described as a step cylinder with two panels, and its RCS value is 6.1751.
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
6.1751
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Gran' No. 20L
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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Musk Pivots SpaceX Focus to Moon Settlement Before Mars | KeepTrack X Report
Elon Musk shifts SpaceX's priority to lunar settlement before Mars colonization. Crew-12 launch delayed by weather to Feb 12. SpaceX partners with Hexagon Purus for manufacturing.
Space Brief 9 Jan 2025
Today's briefing includes new appointments in U.S. military and defense sectors, X-37B's continued mission, and international policy shifts affecting satellite technology sales.
Space Brief 11 Aug 2025
Today's briefing highlights major advancements in tactical satellite communications for military applications, the expansion of an IoT satellite constellation by China's Geespace, and significant developments in lunar communications and surveillance systems.
Space Brief 20 Jul 2025
Today's highlights include a SpaceX launch of Starlink satellites, a pivotal delivery to the Space Force, and significant Senate funding for NASA missions.
X Report 16 Jun 2025
SpaceX progresses with plans for Starship launches from a ULA site while continuing its Starlink expansion. New satellite tracking update enhances user engagement.
Space Brief 25 Sep 2025
Discover the latest developments in space defense, innovative satellite technologies, nuclear advancements in space travel, and strategic military updates.
X Report 4 Sep 2025
SpaceX conducted multiple successful launches this week, adding to its Starlink constellation and marking significant milestones in its ongoing missions.