Space Brief 5 Jun 2025
Today's brief highlights a significant geospatial data collaboration between Maxar and Saab, defense budget discussions affecting satellite deployments, and the naming of new military command chiefs.
RADUGA 16 (15946)
COSPAR: 1985-070A | Alt Name: Raduga
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 8, 1985
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC200/39
Launch Vehicle
Proton-K/DM
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
15946
International Designator
1985-070A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:49:27 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
9.39°
Right Ascension
316.73°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
304.85°
Period
1435.64 min
Mean Motion
1.00 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
RADUGA 16
Alternative Name
Raduga
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
GUKOS
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 15946U 85070A 26185.11767840 .00000115 00000-0 00000-0 0 9998
2 15946 9.3857 316.7329 0001999 304.8521 255.2482 1.00303564122398
Source: Celestrak
Summary
RADUGA 16, also known as Raduga, is a communication satellite launched on August 8, 1985 from the TYSMC launch site using LC200/39 and a Proton-K/DM launch vehicle. Manufactured by NPOPM for GUKOS, it has dimensions of 5.5 meters in length, 2.5 meters in diameter, and spans 9.5 meters with its deployed components. The satellite's dry mass is 1800 kilograms, while the launch mass was 1965 kilograms. It is equipped with 3 Delta-1 and 3 Delta-2 C-Band transponders for communication purposes and features two deployable solar arrays along with batteries for power supply. RADUGA 16 has a step cylindrical shape plus two panels, and its configuration is known as KAUR-3. The satellite operated in orbit for about three years following its stabilization on August 9, 1985.
Physical Characteristics
Length
5.5
Diameter
2.5
Span
9.5
Dry Mass
1800
Launch Mass
1965
Shape
Step Cyl + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
3.2066
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Gran' No. 26L
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
NPOPM
Life Expectancy
3 years
Bus
Raduga
Configuration
KAUR-3
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
3 Delta-1 C-Band transponders, 3 Delta-2 C-Band transponders
Power System
2 deployable 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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