Space Brief 5 Feb 2025
Today's briefing covers strategic military developments including missile defense proposals and board realignments, intertwined with rising space defense exports and autonomous launcher progress.
RADUGA 20 (17611)
COSPAR: 1987-028A | Alt Name: Raduga
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 19, 1987
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC200/40
Launch Vehicle
Proton-K/DM
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
17611
International Designator
1987-028A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 20:27:59 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
13.28°
Right Ascension
328.27°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
173.29°
Period
1500.61 min
Mean Motion
0.96 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
RADUGA 20
Alternative Name
Raduga
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
UNKS
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 17611U 87028A 26184.85277670 -.00000099 00000-0 00000-0 0 9993
2 17611 13.2777 328.2701 0026644 173.2907 22.2240 0.95961071138472
Source: Celestrak
Summary
RADUGA 20 is a communication satellite identified by NORAD_CAT_ID 17611 and OBJECT_ID 1987-028A. Launched on March 19, 1987, from the TYSMC launch site using LC200/40 with a Proton-K/DM launch vehicle, it was manufactured by NPOPM for communication purposes. The satellite has a bus configuration of Raduga and a specific design called KAUR-3. It measures 5.5 meters in length, 2.5 meters in diameter, and has a span of 9.5 meters. Its dry mass is 1800 kg and it had a launch mass of 1965 kg. RADUGA 20 is equipped with 3 Delta-1 C-Band transponders and 3 Delta-2 C-Band transponders, as well as power provided by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. The satellite's shape consists of step cylinders and two panels, and it has a cross-sectional area (RCS) of 2.0711 square meters. It was owned by UNKS and operated for approximately three years.
Physical Characteristics
Length
5.5
Diameter
2.5
Span
9.5
Dry Mass
1800
Launch Mass
1965
Shape
Step Cyl + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
2.0711
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Gran' No. 31L
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
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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