X Report 16 Jan 2025
SpaceX launches dual lunar landers while Starship Flight 7 faces weather delay.
RADIO 3 (12997)
COSPAR: 1981-120A | Alt Name: Radio RS-3
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 17, 1981
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC132/2
Launch Vehicle
Kosmos 11K65M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
12997
International Designator
1981-120A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:28:23 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
82.96°
Right Ascension
254.85°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
228.83°
Period
118.43 min
Mean Motion
12.16 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
RADIO 3
Alternative Name
Radio RS-3
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
NPOPM/MAIO
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 12997U 81120A 26185.14472023 .00000053 00000-0 44687-3 0 9995
2 12997 82.9583 254.8475 0057654 228.8295 156.6207 12.15872252976760
Source: Celestrak
Summary
RADIO 3 (also known as Radio RS-3) is an amateur radio communication satellite with NORAD ID 12997 and OBJECT_ID 1981-120A. Launched on December 17, 1981, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome LC132/2 launch pad aboard a Kosmos 11K65M launch vehicle by NPOPM/MAIO, it has a bus configuration of Strela-1M and is owned by its manufacturer. The satellite measures 0.8 meters in length, diameter, and span with a dry mass of 70 kg. It uses solar cells and batteries for power and was designed for one year of operation. Its purpose and payload are focused on amateur radio communication. The satellite has a polyhedral shape with a radar cross-section (RCS) value of 0.807 square meters.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.8
Diameter
0.8
Span
0.8
Dry Mass
70
Launch Mass
70
Shape
Poly
Radar Cross Section
0.807
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
RS-3
Purpose
Amateur radio communication
Mission
Amateur radio communication
Manufacturer
NPOPM/MAIO
Life Expectancy
1 year
Bus
Strela-1M
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
None
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Solar cells, 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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