FOTON 1 (19043)

COSPAR: 1988-031A | Alt Name: Foton

DECAYED

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

April 14, 1988

Launch Site

PLMSC

Launch Pad

LC41/1

Launch Vehicle

Soyuz-U

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

19043

International Designator

1988-031A

Decay Date

4/28/1988

Basic Satellite Info

Name

FOTON 1

Alternative Name

Foton

Type

Payload

Status

Decayed

Owner

TSSKB

Country

USSR

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary

FOTON 1, also known as Foton, was a satellite launched by TSSKB on April 14, 1988, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Launch Complex LC41/1 using a Soyuz-U launch vehicle. The spacecraft had dimensions of 6.5 meters in length and span with a diameter of 2.4 meters, featuring a shape described as sphere plus DCone. FOTON 1 was designed for micro-gravity missions and had a dry mass of 2109 kilograms. It carried the payload known as Foton No. 4L and operated on batteries for power. The satellite's mission duration was approximately 13-16 days, aimed at conducting experiments in micro-gravity conditions.

Physical Characteristics

Length

6.5

Diameter

2.4

Span

6.5

Dry Mass

2109

Launch Mass

2109

Shape

Sphere + DCone

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Foton No. 4L

Purpose

Micro-gravity

Mission

Micro-gravity

Manufacturer

TSSKB

Life Expectancy

13-16 days

Bus

Foton

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

11D82M

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

Batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

Seismic Networks Now Track Space Junk, Pentagon Faces Golden Dome Cost Challenges | KeepTrack Space Brief

Johns Hopkins researchers use seismic networks to track space debris in near real-time. Pentagon faces Golden Dome production scale challenges. SpaceX launches 25 Starlink sats in seventh 2026 mission.

Space Brief 10 Nov 2025

Today's brief covers China's record-breaking launch year, SpaceX's continued Starlink deployments, Blue Origin's launch challenges, and innovations in satellite maneuverability.

GPS III SV-10 Moves to Falcon 9 After Vulcan Grounded | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX claims a 2nd GPS III launch as ULA's Vulcan investigation stalls, while ESA charters a Crew Dragon ISS mission and Starlink hits 30 launches in 2026.

X Report 19 Jun 2025

Today's report highlights a catastrophic failure during Starship preparations, significant advancements in Starlink services in Ukraine and India, and the successful launch of 28 Starlink satellites.

Starship Flight 12 Targets May 19 with Redesigned Ship | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX targets May 19 for Starship Flight 12 debut, while CRS-34 delivers 6,500 lbs of cargo to ISS aboard a Falcon 9.

Space Brief 20 Oct 2025

Today's Space Brief highlights Innospace's upcoming orbital launch, SpaceX's record-setting Starlink mission, China's Thousand Sails constellation, Atomic-6's new space armor, and developments in SpaceX's West Coast facilities.

Space Brief 23 Jun 2025

Significant advancements and launches in space: NASA's hypersonic sensor breakthrough, ChinaSat-9C's launch, and SpaceX's resilient Falcon 9 operations.

Space Brief 24 Nov 2024

Today's briefing covers Blue Origin's New Glenn nearing its first launch, SpaceX's 400th Falcon 9 mission with Starlink satellites, advancements in space-based weather prediction, and more.