Space Brief 20 Dec 2025
Today's Space Brief focuses on multi-billion dollar contracts for missile-tracking satellites, developments in optical nuclear clock research, and innovative drone projects for military collaboration.
COSMOS 1538 (14759)
COSPAR: 1984-019A | Alt Name: Kosmos-1538
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
February 21, 1984
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC132/1
Launch Vehicle
Kosmos 11K65M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
14759
International Designator
1984-019A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:24:35 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
74.04°
Right Ascension
248.19°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
29.94°
Period
100.38 min
Mean Motion
14.35 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 1538
Alternative Name
Kosmos-1538
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
GUKOS
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 14759U 84019A 26185.18373918 .00000103 00000-0 45510-4 0 9993
2 14759 74.0392 248.1851 0020356 29.9422 330.2889 14.34527200215409
Source: Celestrak
Summary
COSMOS 1538 (also known as Kosmos-1538) is a military communication satellite equipped for store dump operations and launched on February 21, 1984, from the PLMSC launch site using the Kosmos 11K65M launch vehicle. Manufactured by NPOPM, it was owned by GUKOS and had a Strela-2M payload designated as No. [44]. The satellite measures 3 meters in length with a diameter of 2 meters and spans 3 meters, has a dry mass of 800 kg, and was designed to operate for approximately six months. Its power system consists of solar cells and batteries. COSMOS 1538 is cylindrical in shape with an RCS of 1.8428 and lacks additional details regarding its ADCS or color.
Physical Characteristics
Length
3
Diameter
2
Span
3
Dry Mass
800
Launch Mass
800
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
1.8428
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Strela-2M No. [44]
Purpose
Military Communication, store dump
Mission
Military Communication, store dump
Manufacturer
NPOPM
Life Expectancy
6 months
Bus
Strela-2M
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Space Brief 9 Nov 2025
Today's top stories include SpaceX's latest Starlink launch, Blue Origin's FAA exemption request, and major acquisitions by Intuitive Machines and Firefly Aerospace shaping the defense and space landscape.
Space Brief 24 Aug 2025
Today's brief covers SpaceX's secretive military launch, advancements in nuclear fusion, and groundbreaking observations of dying stars and supernovae.
X Report 1 Dec 2024
SpaceX continues its collaboration with the NRO, while gearing up for lunar missions and a contract for NASA's Dragonfly mission to Titan.
Space Brief 6 Dec 2025
Discover the latest developments in hypersonic missile production, defense innovation strategies, and satellite infrastructure resilience impacting military operations.
Starlink Mobile US Plan, Ship 40 Static Fire, X Report 27 Jun 2026
Starlink mobile service is planned for the US as SpaceX fires Ship 40's single Raptor in a prelaunch test, with 10,689 Starlink satellites working.
Rocket Lab to Acquire Iridium for $8B, X Report 30 Jun 2026
Rocket Lab will acquire Iridium for $8B to challenge SpaceX, whose Starlink constellation holds 10,706 working satellites of 12,390 launched.
X Report 15 Aug 2025
SpaceX achieves significant milestones with multiple satellite launches and ongoing challenges in rural broadband funding. Noteworthy advances in Starlink capabilities enhance international connectivity.