The Day a Farm Boy Found a New World
Ninety-five years ago, a 24-year-old astronomer with no college degree made one of astronomy's most remarkable discoveries, finding a new planet that would challenge our understanding of the solar system
COSMOS 1712 [GLONASS] (16398)
COSPAR: 1985-118C | Alt Name: Kosmos-1712
Image
![COSMOS 1712 [GLONASS] Satellite Image](/images/sat/16398.jpg)
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 24, 1985
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC200/39
Launch Vehicle
Proton-K/DM-2
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
16398
International Designator
1985-118C
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 19:53:32 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
66.05°
Right Ascension
324.50°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
12.83°
Period
676.31 min
Mean Motion
2.13 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 1712 [GLONASS]
Alternative Name
Kosmos-1712
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
GUKOS
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 16398U 85118C 26184.82884722 -.00000048 00000-0 00000-0 0 9995
2 16398 66.0516 324.5006 0010408 12.8324 346.7461 2.12919901314391
Source: Celestrak
Summary
COSMOS 1712 [GLONASS], also known as Kosmos-1712, is a dummy satellite launched by GUKOS from the TYMSC site on December 24, 1985, using a Proton-K/DM-2 launch vehicle. It has dimensions of 4 meters in length and 1.5 meters in diameter with a span of 7.8 meters. The satellite weighs 1300 kg at launch and 1200 kg dry mass. Its payload is Uragan GVM, and it was manufactured by OAZ. The satellite's shape consists of a cylinder with antennas and two panels, and its surface area (RCS) is 0.3953 square meters. It was stabilized on December 25, 1985, following its launch.
Physical Characteristics
Length
4
Diameter
1.5
Span
7.8
Dry Mass
1200
Launch Mass
1300
Shape
Cyl + Ant + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
0.3953
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Uragan GVM
Purpose
Dummy satellite
Mission
Dummy satellite
Manufacturer
OAZ
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Uragan
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
None
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
None
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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