Space Brief 29 Jan 2025
Today's briefing covers the Space Force's plans for future launches, new initiatives in missile defense, and the latest on military and aerospace advancements.
Launch Date
December 24, 1985
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC43/4
Launch Vehicle
Molniya 8K78M
NORAD ID
16393
International Designator
1985-117A
Epoch
Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:56:04 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
61.96°
Right Ascension
222.56°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
252.27°
Period
677.94 min
Mean Motion
2.12 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
MOLNIYA 3-27
Alternative Name
Molniya-3
Type
Status
Owner
GUKOS/MSVYAZ
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 16393U 85117A 26182.24727874 .00000293 00000-0 10315-1 0 9999
2 16393 61.9570 222.5602 7110394 252.2689 23.9906 2.12408895305501
Source: Celestrak
Length
3.6
Diameter
1.6
Span
8.1
Dry Mass
1700
Launch Mass
1750
Shape
Cyl + 6 Pan
Radar Cross Section
15.4839
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Molniya-3 No. 40
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
NPOPM
Life Expectancy
3 years
Bus
Molniya-3
Configuration
KAUR-2
Motor
KDU-414A (S5.114) or 11D414NS
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
6 deployable solar arrays (1000 W), batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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