Rocket Lab Neutron Books 5 Launches, Space Brief 8 May 2026
Rocket Lab Neutron launch schedule holds at Q4 2026 for the first flight as a five-launch contract lands; barge recovery starts on flight two.
MOLNIYA 1-52 (13012)
COSPAR: 1981-123A | Alt Name: Molniya-1
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 23, 1981
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC1
Launch Vehicle
Molniya 8K78M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
13012
International Designator
1981-123A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 15:46:25 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
61.68°
Right Ascension
64.66°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
277.03°
Period
718.47 min
Mean Motion
2.00 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
MOLNIYA 1-52
Alternative Name
Molniya-1
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
GUKOS
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 13012U 81123A 26184.65723787 -.00000963 00000-0 16951-3 0 9992
2 13012 61.6788 64.6632 7454568 277.0325 11.4056 2.00426995326226
Source: Celestrak
Summary
MOLNIYA 1-52, also known as Molniya-1, is a communication satellite with a bus configuration designated as KAUR-2. It was launched on December 23, 1981, from the TYSMC launch site using the Molniya 8K78M launch vehicle from launch pad LC1. The satellite has dimensions of 4.4 meters in length and 1.4 meters in diameter with a span of 8.6 meters. It weighs 1650 kg at launch, with a dry mass of 1620 kg. Its power system consists of six deployable solar arrays and batteries. The satellite's shape is described as cylindrical with six panels (Cyl + 6 Pan). Manufactured by NPOPM for GUKOS, MOLNIYA 1-52 was designed to operate in space for approximately two years.
Physical Characteristics
Length
4.4
Diameter
1.4
Span
8.6
Dry Mass
1620
Launch Mass
1650
Shape
Cyl + 6 Pan
Radar Cross Section
16.7553
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Molniya-1K No. 55L
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
NPOPM
Life Expectancy
2 years
Bus
Molniya-1
Configuration
KAUR-2
Motor
KDU-414A (S5.114)
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
6 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
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