Space Force Eyes Space Tugs, On-Orbit Refueling by 2030 | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force commits to operational space tugs and on-orbit refueling by 2030. New capabilities will complicate conjunction analysis for GEO and MEO satellite tracking.
COSMOS 1678 (15997)
COSPAR: 1985-077A | Alt Name: Kosmos-1678
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 29, 1985
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC41/1
Launch Vehicle
Soyuz-U
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
15997
International Designator
1985-077A
Decay Date
9/12/1985
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 1678
Alternative Name
Kosmos-1678
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
PRIR
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
COSMOS 1678 (also known as Kosmos-1678) is an Earth observation satellite launched on August 29, 1985, from the PLMSC launch site using a Soyuz-U launch vehicle at LC41/1. It was manufactured by TSSKB and operates under the mission of film return for Earth Observation purposes. The satellite features a Resurs-F1 bus with a Priroda-4 imaging system including two KFA-1000 and three KATE-200 cameras. Its dimensions are 6.5 meters in length, 2.4 meters in diameter, and has the same span of 6.5 meters. The satellite's dry mass is recorded as 2555 kg, matching its launch mass. Equipped with batteries for power and featuring a shape described as Sphere + DCone, COSMOS 1678 was launched to conduct Earth observation tasks using film return technology.
Physical Characteristics
Length
6.5
Diameter
2.4
Span
6.5
Dry Mass
2555
Launch Mass
2555
Shape
Sphere + DCone
Radar Cross Section
25.9
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Resurs-F1-17F41 No. 23L
Purpose
Earth Observation (film return)
Mission
Earth Observation (film return)
Manufacturer
TSSKB
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Resurs-F1
Configuration
Vostok / Zenit Capsule
Motor
11D82M; S5.120 (maneuver module)
Equipment
Priroda-4 imaging system (2 x KFA-1000, 3 x KATE-200)
Power System
Batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
SpaceX Eyes $60B Cursor AI Acquisition Ahead of IPO | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX secured a $60B option to acquire Cursor AI while launching its 40th Falcon 9 mission of 2026, deploying 24 more Starlink satellites from Vandenberg.
Space Brief 1 Dec 2025
Today's brief covers China's latest classified satellite launch, breakups in orbital refueling experiments, exciting advancements in microsatellites, and SpaceX's remarkable strides in spaceflight.
X Report 15 Jan 2025
SpaceX successfully launches two lunar landers and clears another milestone with Transporter-12 rideshare mission.
X Report 20 Sep 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 24 Starlink satellites from California, enhancing its global internet coverage as the company continues to dominate the satellite communications market.
Starship Flight 13 Static Fire, Florida Push, X Report 4 Jul 2026
Starship update July 2026: Flight 13 completed a full six-Raptor static fire as SpaceX targets its first Cape Canaveral Starship launch by year's end.
X Report 1 May 2025
SpaceX launches diabetes research mission to ISS; EU considers SES for Starlink support; Amazon's Kuiper enters satellite race.
Starcloud Files 88,000-Satellite Constellation Plan | KeepTrack Space Brief
Starcloud files FCC plans for 88,000-satellite orbital data center constellation, matching scale of Starlink and Amazon Kuiper expansions. Massive LEO conjunction risk implications.