Space Brief 14 Aug 2025
Today's brief covers the Vulcan Centaur's first mission, military space automation insights, and the retirement reflections of a Space Force leader.
Launch Date
November 15, 1985
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC200/39
Launch Vehicle
Proton-K/DM
NORAD ID
16250
International Designator
1985-107A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:49:32 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
9.58°
Right Ascension
318.29°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
231.80°
Period
1438.25 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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Name
RADUGA 17
Alternative Name
Raduga
Type
Status
Owner
GUKOS
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 16250U 85107A 26184.95107439 -.00000014 00000-0 00000-0 0 9990
2 16250 9.5781 318.2866 0013242 231.8036 144.9552 1.00121815151843
Source: Celestrak
Length
5.5
Diameter
2.5
Span
9.5
Dry Mass
1800
Launch Mass
1965
Shape
Step Cyl + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
3.981
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Gran' No. 28L
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
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