Space Brief 8 Jan 2025
Today's highlights include China's launch of Shijian-25 for on-orbit refueling tests, Pentagon's investment in defense technologies, and key military upgrades.
COSMOS 1927 (18940)
COSPAR: 1988-016D | Alt Name: Kosmos-1927
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 11, 1988
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC132/1
Launch Vehicle
Kosmos 11K65M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
18940
International Designator
1988-016D
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:17:54 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
74.00°
Right Ascension
248.92°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
209.57°
Period
115.12 min
Mean Motion
12.51 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 1927
Alternative Name
Kosmos-1927
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
UNKS
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 18940U 88016D 26185.17909904 .00000001 00000-0 11001-3 0 9993
2 18940 74.0044 248.9248 0007799 209.5732 178.6139 12.50920883749654
Source: Celestrak
Summary
COSMOS 1927 (also known as Kosmos-1927) is a military communication satellite launched on March 11, 1988, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Kosmos 11K65M launch vehicle. The spacecraft measures 0.8 meters in length and diameter with a dry mass of 60 kilograms. Its payload consists of a Strela-1M Blok 42 No. 4 communication equipment, powered by solar cells and batteries. The satellite's shape is described as polyhedral with a radar cross-section (RCS) of 0.6781 square meters. It was manufactured by NPOPM in the Soviet Union for military communication purposes and had an operational lifetime of about six months.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.8
Diameter
0.8
Span
0.8
Dry Mass
60
Launch Mass
60
Shape
Poly
Radar Cross Section
0.6781
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Strela-1M Blok 42 No. 4
Purpose
Military Communication
Mission
Military Communication
Manufacturer
NPOPM
Life Expectancy
6 months
Bus
Strela-1 11F625
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 12 Jul 2025
SpaceX prepares for the Crew-11 astronaut mission launch, while Starlink continues to expand its satellite network in orbit.
X Report 20 Sep 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 24 Starlink satellites from California, enhancing its global internet coverage as the company continues to dominate the satellite communications market.
Space Brief 4 Mar 2025
Today's brief covers the historic lunar touchdown by Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander, highlights in military space activity, and a reflection on Pearl Young's pioneering legacy at NASA.
Space Brief 12 Jan 2025
Today's briefing covers significant events including launch delays for SpaceX's Starship and Blue Origin's New Glenn, BepiColombo's landmark Mercury flyby, and the impact of Los Angeles fires on the space community.
Starship All 6 Engines Fire for 60 Seconds Before Flight 13 | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX ignited all 6 Starship engines for a full minute at Starbase, while a Falcon 9 added 24 more Starlinks from Vandenberg on July 1.
Space Brief 15 Sep 2025
Discover the latest in satellite tracking with key topics covering the launch of Tranche 1 satellites for the Space Development Agency, a record-setting Transporter-15 mission by Exolaunch, and new defense-focused satellite connectivity solutions by Satlink and Rivada.
The Evolution of Space Stations
A brief journey through the evolution of space stations, delving into Russia's Mir, the International Space Station, China's Tiangong, and envisioning the future of orbital habitats.