METEOR 2-16 (18312)

COSPAR: 1987-068A | Alt Name: Meteor-2

Image
METEOR 2-16 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

August 18, 1987

Launch Site

PLMSC

Launch Pad

LC32/1

Launch Vehicle

Tsiklon-3

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

18312

International Designator

1987-068A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 06:12:35 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

82.56°

Right Ascension

280.81°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

359.14°

Period

103.98 min

Mean Motion

13.85 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

METEOR 2-16

Alternative Name

Meteor-2

Type

Payload

Status

Unknown

Owner

UNKS/GMS

Country

USSR

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 18312U 87068A   26185.25874788  .00000047  00000-0  28152-4 0  9998
2 18312  82.5572 280.8091 0012279 359.1362   0.9775 13.84947187964676

Source: Celestrak

Summary
METEOR 2-16, also known as Meteor-2 No. 21, is a meteorological satellite launched on August 18, 1987, from the PLMSC LC32/1 launch pad using a Tsiklon-3 launch vehicle. Built by VNIEM and identified with the NORAD catalog ID of 18312 and OBJECT_ID 1987-068A, it utilizes the SP-1 bus configuration and was operated for meteorology purposes under ownership of UNKS/GMS. The satellite has dimensions of 4.5 meters in length, a diameter of 1.4 meters, and a span of 4.5 meters. Its dry mass is 1500 kilograms, which matches its launch mass. Equipped with TV, IR, SM, and RMK-2 equipment for Earth observation, METEOR 2-16 uses two deployable solar arrays and batteries as power sources. The satellite has a shape described as Cyl + 2 Pan (cylinder plus two panels) and an RCS of 4.3174.
Physical Characteristics

Length

4.5

Diameter

1.4

Span

4.5

Dry Mass

1500

Launch Mass

1500

Shape

Cyl + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

4.3174

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Meteor-2 No. 21

Purpose

Meteorology

Mission

Meteorology

Manufacturer

VNIEM

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

Meteor-2

Configuration

SP-1 bus

Motor

Unknown

Equipment

TV, IR, SM, RMK-2

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map
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