The Day a Giant Space Balloon United the Cold War
When a 135-foot inflatable mirror bounced a radio signal from England to Russia, it became the first joint US-Soviet space venture - and changed how we think about satellite communication.
Launch Date
July 1, 1983
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC31
Launch Vehicle
Molniya 8K78M
NORAD ID
14163
International Designator
1983-067A
Decay Date
Unknown
Name
PROGNOZ 9
Alternative Name
Prognoz-9
Type
Status
Owner
IKI/BABTS
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Length
0.9
Diameter
2
Span
6
Dry Mass
1060
Launch Mass
1060
Shape
Cyl + 4 Pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
SO-M No. 509
Purpose
Science, magnetosphere
Mission
Science, magnetosphere
Manufacturer
NPOL
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
SO-M
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
4 deployable fixed solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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