MOLNIYA 3-20 (13875)

COSPAR: 1983-015A | Alt Name: Molniya-3

Image
MOLNIYA 3-20 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

March 11, 1983

Launch Site

PLMSC

Launch Pad

LC41/1

Launch Vehicle

Molniya 8K78M

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

13875

International Designator

1983-015A

Epoch

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 23:56:50 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

61.96°

Right Ascension

144.18°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

271.75°

Period

718.34 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 3-20

Alternative Name

Molniya-3

Type

Payload

Status

Unknown

Owner

NPOPM/MSVYAZ

Country

USSR

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 13875U 83015A   26182.99780433  .00001296  00000+0  00000+0 0  9999
2 13875  61.9608 144.1764 7113039 271.7537  15.4507 02.00463426253312

Source: Celestrak

Summary
MOLNIYA 3-20 (also known as Molniya-3) is a communication satellite launched on March 11, 1983, from the PLMSC launch site using LC41/1 pad and the Molniya 8K78M launch vehicle. It was manufactured by NPOPM for the mission of communication and operated under the ownership of NPOPM/MSVYAZ. The satellite has a dry mass of 1700 kg, with dimensions including a length of 3.6 meters, diameter of 1.6 meters, and span of 8.1 meters. It is equipped with six deployable solar arrays that provide 1000 W power alongside batteries. The satellite's shape consists of a cylinder with six panels and its configuration is KAUR-2. MOLNIYA 3-20 had a motor type of KDU-414A (S5.114) or 11D414NS, and it was designed to operate for approximately three years in orbit.
Physical Characteristics

Length

3.6

Diameter

1.6

Span

8.1

Dry Mass

1700

Launch Mass

1750

Shape

Cyl + 6 Pan

Radar Cross Section

15.4143

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Molniya-3 No. 34L

Purpose

Communication

Mission

Communication

Manufacturer

NPOPM

Life Expectancy

3 years

Bus

Molniya-3

Configuration

KAUR-2

Motor

KDU-414A (S5.114) or 11D414NS

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

6 deployable solar arrays (1000 W), batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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