Space Brief 28 Oct 2025
Today's brief covers China's Gaofen-14 satellite launch, Europe's advancements in asteroid defense through GomSpace, and Russia's controversial Burevestnik missile test.
ASTRON (13901)
COSPAR: 1983-020A | Alt Name: Astron
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 23, 1983
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC200/39
Launch Vehicle
Proton-K/D-1
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
13901
International Designator
1983-020A
Epoch
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 13:00:33 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
77.71°
Right Ascension
56.27°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
52.77°
Period
5927.59 min
Mean Motion
0.24 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
ASTRON
Alternative Name
Astron
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
IKI/BABTS
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 13901U 83020A 26187.54205850 -.00001016 00000-0 00000-0 0 9999
2 13901 77.7141 56.2695 7018737 52.7680 1.3386 0.24293176 11194
Source: Celestrak
Summary
ASTRON (also known as Astron) is a satellite launched on March 23, 1983, by NPOL for IKI/BABTS from the TYMSC launch site using a Proton-K/D-1 launch vehicle. It has a configuration called Venera-Bus and was designed to last approximately one year. The satellite measures 6 meters in length with a diameter of 2.5 meters and a span of 9 meters, weighing 3500 kg at launch. ASTRON is equipped for astronomy and UV missions and uses two deployable fixed solar arrays along with batteries for power. It has a flared cylindrical shape plus two panels and an RCS of 7.9432.
Physical Characteristics
Length
6
Diameter
2.5
Span
9
Dry Mass
3500
Launch Mass
3500
Shape
Flared Cyl + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
7.9432
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
1A No. 602
Purpose
Astronomy, UV
Mission
Astronomy, UV
Manufacturer
NPOL
Life Expectancy
1 year design
Bus
3M
Configuration
Venera-Bus
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
2 deployable fixed 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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