The Day NASA Chose Its First Space Pioneers
Sixty-four years ago, NASA made a decision that would shape the future of human spaceflight by selecting three astronauts to compete for America's first journey into space
COSMOS 1878 (18337)
COSPAR: 1987-074D | Alt Name: Kosmos-1878
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
September 7, 1987
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC32/1
Launch Vehicle
Tsiklon-3
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
18337
International Designator
1987-074D
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 06:25:40 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
82.57°
Right Ascension
281.73°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
169.21°
Period
113.89 min
Mean Motion
12.64 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 1878
Alternative Name
Kosmos-1878
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
UNKS
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 18337U 87074D 26185.26782841 .00000038 00000-0 14820-3 0 9997
2 18337 82.5704 281.7315 0003420 169.2090 205.0891 12.64386317791455
Source: Celestrak
Summary
COSMOS 1878, also known as Kosmos-1878, is a military communication satellite launched on September 7, 1987, from the PLMSC launch site using LC32/1 and the Tsiklon-3 launch vehicle. The spacecraft, manufactured by NPOPM, has dimensions of 1.6 meters in length, 0.8 meters in diameter, and a span of 7 meters due to its antenna configuration. It weighs 225 kilograms at both launch and dry mass states. Equipped with solar cells and batteries for power supply, COSMOS 1878 features a cylindrical shape complemented by antennas. Its mission is focused on military communication purposes, and it was launched under the ownership of UNKS.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.6
Diameter
0.8
Span
7
Dry Mass
225
Launch Mass
225
Shape
Cyl + Ant
Radar Cross Section
1.045
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Strela-3
Purpose
Military Communication
Mission
Military Communication
Manufacturer
NPOPM
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Strela-3
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
X Report 22 Jun 2025
Key updates include the impending Falcon 9 launch for Transporter-14, insights on Starship's explosion, and a last-minute abort of the Starlink 10-23 mission.
NASA Declares MAVEN Dead; Eastern Range Damage Assessment Underway | KeepTrack Space Brief
NASA officially ended the MAVEN Mars orbiter mission after months of radio silence following an anomaly. Space Force assessing Eastern Range damage from separate incident affecting launch cadence.
X Report 16 Jun 2025
SpaceX progresses with plans for Starship launches from a ULA site while continuing its Starlink expansion. New satellite tracking update enhances user engagement.
SpaceX Hits 600 Rocket Landings, Wins $175M Mars Deal | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX's 600th Falcon 9 booster landing coincides with a $175M NASA Mars contract win and the final GPS III satellite launch this week.
Space Brief 28 May 2025
Today's briefing covers SpaceX's ambitious launch and temporary setback with their Super Heavy booster, adjustments in South African telecommunications laws influenced by Starlink, and the U.S. Navy's strategic shifts amidst changes in unmanned combatant acquisitions.
Space Brief 11 Aug 2025
Today's briefing highlights major advancements in tactical satellite communications for military applications, the expansion of an IoT satellite constellation by China's Geespace, and significant developments in lunar communications and surveillance systems.
ULA Launches 29 Amazon Kuiper Satellites; Falcon Heavy Returns | KeepTrack Space Brief
ULA's Atlas V deployed 29 Amazon Kuiper LEO satellites on April 27. Falcon Heavy returns this week with ViaSat-3 F3. Six orbital launches scheduled across three continents.