Space Brief 9 Oct 2025
Today's briefing covers key developments in defense budgets reshaping the space sector, significant Space Force contracts, and the latest news from the Chinese space station.
VENERA 15 (14104)
COSPAR: 1983-053A | Alt Name: Venera-15
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
June 2, 1983
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC200/39
Launch Vehicle
Proton-K/D-1
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
14104
International Designator
1983-053A
Decay Date
Unknown
Basic Satellite Info
Name
VENERA 15
Alternative Name
Venera-15
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
IKI/NPOL
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
VENERA 15, also known as Venera-15, is a Venus radar orbiter launched on June 2, 1983, by the Soviet Union (SU) from the Tyuratam Space Centre Launch Complex LC200/39 using a Proton-K/D-1 launch vehicle. The satellite has dimensions of 6 meters in length and 2.5 meters in diameter with a span of 9 meters. Its dry mass is 4,300 kg, and it was launched with a total mass of 5,250 kg. The spacecraft is shaped as a flared cylinder with two pans and an antenna. It is equipped with two deployable fixed solar arrays and batteries for power supply. VENERA 15's mission objective was to conduct radar mapping of Venus from orbit and was manufactured by NPOL under the ownership of IKI/NPOL, operating on the Venusian environment as part of its scientific endeavors.
Physical Characteristics
Length
6
Diameter
2.5
Span
9
Dry Mass
4300
Launch Mass
5250
Shape
Flared Cyl + 2 Pan + Ant
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
4V-2 No. 860
Purpose
Venus radar orbiter
Mission
Venus radar orbiter
Manufacturer
NPOL
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Venera
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
2 deployable fixed solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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