The Space Station Space Race
As the International Space Station nears retirement, private companies are stepping up to fill the void with their own space stations. Discover the key players and the potential impact on space exploration.
COSMOS 1642 (15624)
COSPAR: 1985-023H | Alt Name: Kosmos-1642
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 21, 1985
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC132/2
Launch Vehicle
Kosmos 11K65M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
15624
International Designator
1985-023H
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:57:17 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
74.06°
Right Ascension
104.59°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
163.75°
Period
114.61 min
Mean Motion
12.56 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 1642
Alternative Name
Kosmos-1642
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
GUKOS
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 15624U 85023H 26185.20645014 .00000010 00000-0 15418-3 0 9993
2 15624 74.0556 104.5906 0050949 163.7453 347.8576 12.56393609893608
Source: Celestrak
Summary
COSMOS 1642 (also known as Kosmos-1642) is a military communication satellite launched on March 21, 1985, from the Plesetsk launch site using a Kosmos 11K65M launch vehicle. The spacecraft has dimensions of 0.8 meters in length and diameter, with a dry mass of 60 kg and was also its launch mass. It carried a Strela-1M Blok 37 No. 8 payload for military communication purposes and relied on solar cells and batteries for power supply. The satellite had a polyhedral shape with a radar cross-section (RCS) of 0.6993, was manufactured by NPOPM for GUKOS, and operated for approximately six months in its mission.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.8
Diameter
0.8
Span
0.8
Dry Mass
60
Launch Mass
60
Shape
Poly
Radar Cross Section
0.6993
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Strela-1M Blok 37 No. 8
Purpose
Military Communication
Mission
Military Communication
Manufacturer
NPOPM
Life Expectancy
6 months
Bus
Strela-1 11F625
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.
X Report 12 Nov 2025
SpaceX breaks records with its 94th launch of the year while planning to ramp up Starship production to unprecedented levels.
Space Brief 26 Mar 2025
Today's briefing covers the US Space Force's pivotal journeys, emerging hypersonic weaponry, and innovative drone technologies, with a special satellite update featuring Jackal X-1L-001.
Space Brief 12 Nov 2024
Latest updates include China's Lijian-1 launching 15 satellites, a fiery Starlink reentry, SpaceX's milestone Falcon 9 booster landing, and China's support for its commercial space sector.
The Day We Lost Apollo 1
Fifty-eight years ago, a tragic fire during a routine test transformed spacecraft design and created the foundation of modern spaceflight safety culture
Space Brief 10 Dec 2025
Today's brief covers China's intense launch schedule, a new Arctic military constellation, Muon Space's defense innovations, and SpaceX's classified NROL-77 mission.
Space Brief 15 Jun 2025
Today’s highlights focus on the launch preparations for the Dragoon Mission, China’s seismo-electromagnetic satellite launch, NASA budget cut impacts, and a major expansion by American Pacific Corporation.
X Report 25 Nov 2024
SpaceX launches multiple Starlink batches, FAA updates for Starship, and NASA plans lunar cargo deliveries involving SpaceX and Blue Origin.