The Day Fiery Failure Launched NASA
Sixty-eight years ago, America's first satellite exploded on the launchpad in front of the entire world. But from the ashes of Vanguard TV-3 came the determination that would eventually win the Space Race.
COSMOS 1695 (16143)
COSPAR: 1985-094F | Alt Name: Kosmos-1691
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 9, 1985
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC32/1
Launch Vehicle
Tsiklon-3
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
16143
International Designator
1985-094F
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 23:19:53 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
82.60°
Right Ascension
257.63°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
84.42°
Period
114.02 min
Mean Motion
12.63 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 1695
Alternative Name
Kosmos-1691
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
GUKOS
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 16143U 85094F 26184.97214362 .00000027 00000-0 89542-4 0 9997
2 16143 82.6021 257.6330 0008254 84.4229 88.8784 12.62895726877610
Source: Celestrak
Summary
COSMOS 1695, also known as Kosmos-1691, is a military communication satellite launched on October 9, 1985, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome LC32/1 launch pad using the Tsiklon-3 launch vehicle. It was manufactured by NPOPM and operated under GUKOS ownership. The satellite has dimensions of 1.6 meters in length, 0.8 meters in diameter, and a span of 7 meters, with a dry mass of 225 kilograms, matching its launch mass. Its shape is described as cylindrical with antennas attached, and it utilizes solar cells and batteries for power supply. The satellite's primary purpose was military communication, equipped with the Strela-3 payload.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.6
Diameter
0.8
Span
7
Dry Mass
225
Launch Mass
225
Shape
Cyl + Ant
Radar Cross Section
0.207
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Strela-3
Purpose
Military Communication
Mission
Military Communication
Manufacturer
NPOPM
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Strela-3
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 15 Jan 2025
SpaceX successfully launches two lunar landers and clears another milestone with Transporter-12 rideshare mission.
X Report 12 Dec 2024
SpaceX progresses with Starship developments and sets sights on NASA's upcoming 3D sky-mapping satellite launch.
Space Brief 7 Sep 2025
Today's Space Brief covers China’s latest satellite launches, leadership changes in the U.S. Space Force, insights from hyperspectral imagery on an Iranian facility, SpaceX's Starlink mission, and more.
Space Brief 18 Sep 2025
Today's coverage includes China's recent satellite launch, the Space Force's challenges with current tracking capabilities, and advancements in nuclear propulsion from Ohio State.
DROID.002 - Turion Space's Eyes on the Orbital Junkyard
A 90-kilogram spacecraft with iodine thrusters and two Australian-built cameras is quietly building the case that tracking space debris is a business worth billions - and that a four-year-old startup from Irvine can own it.
Space Brief 31 Mar 2025
Today's brief covers significant space events, including milestone national security certifications for ULA Vulcan and Rocket Lab, SpaceX's groundbreaking polar orbit mission, and a failed launch attempt by Isar Aerospace.
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.