Space Brief 13 Mar 2025
Today's space brief highlights intriguing military satellite developments, new space launch strategies to counteract observation threats, and potential European defense industry advancements.
GORIZONT 12 (16769)
COSPAR: 1986-044A | Alt Name: Gorizont
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
June 10, 1986
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC200/40
Launch Vehicle
Proton-K/DM
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
16769
International Designator
1986-044A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 20:34:47 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
10.02°
Right Ascension
321.06°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
316.47°
Period
1435.77 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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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
GORIZONT 12
Alternative Name
Gorizont
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
MSVYAZ
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 16769U 86044A 26184.85749280 -.00000341 00000-0 00000-0 0 9994
2 16769 10.0233 321.0572 0004034 316.4725 60.7399 1.00294885147439
Source: Celestrak
Summary
GORIZONT 12 is a communication satellite operated by MSVYAZ and manufactured by NPOPM. Launched on June 10, 1986, from the TYMSC launch site using a Proton-K/DM launch vehicle, it has a length of 5.5 meters, diameter of 3.3 meters, and span of 9.5 meters. The satellite weighs 2120 kg at launch with a dry mass of 2000 kg. It is equipped with six C-band transponders and one Ku-band transponder for communication purposes and uses two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power. Its configuration, known as KAUR-3, features a cylindrical shape with two panels, and it has an RCS value of 7.0878. The satellite's mission was to provide communication services, and its lifetime was estimated at three years.
Physical Characteristics
Length
5.5
Diameter
3.3
Span
9.5
Dry Mass
2000
Launch Mass
2120
Shape
Cyl + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
7.0878
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Gorizont No. 24L
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
NPOPM
Life Expectancy
3 years
Bus
Gorizont
Configuration
KAUR-3
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
6 C-band transponders, 1 Ku-band transponder
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
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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