COSMOS 1942 (19115)

COSPAR: 1988-037A | Alt Name: Kosmos-1942
DECAYED

Image
COSMOS 1942 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

May 12, 1988

Launch Site

PLMSC

Launch Pad

LC43/4

Launch Vehicle

Soyuz-U

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

19115

International Designator

1988-037A

Decay Date

7/4/1988

Basic Satellite Info

Name

COSMOS 1942

Alternative Name

Kosmos-1942

Type

Payload

Status

Decayed

Owner

UNKS

Country

USSR

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary
COSMOS 1942 (also known as Kosmos-1942) is a reconnaissance satellite based on the Yantar'-4K2 bus launched by the Soviet Union on May 12, 1988. The launch site was PLMSC with LC43/4 as the launch pad and Soyuz-U as the launch vehicle. It has dimensions of 6.3 meters in length and diameter of 2.7 meters with a span of 6.3 meters. COSMOS 1942 carries the Kobal't No. 839 payload for photographic reconnaissance using film return technology. Its configuration includes a main reentry module along with two smaller reentry capsules, powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. The satellite was manufactured by TSSKB for reconnaissance purposes.
Physical Characteristics

Length

6.3

Diameter

2.7

Span

6.3

Dry Mass

2886

Launch Mass

2886

Shape

Cyl + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

31.1307

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Kobal't No. 839

Purpose

Reconnaissance, photo (film return type)

Mission

Reconnaissance, photo (film return type)

Manufacturer

TSSKB

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

Yantar'-4K2

Configuration

Yantar Bus, main reentry module, 2 small reentry capsules

Motor

Unknown

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

Australian Space Centre Cape York

Australian Space Centre Cape York

When your landlord won't sign the lease, you move. How Equatorial Launch Australia abandoned Arnhem Land and pivoted to Queensland - and what it means for Australia's equatorial launch ambitions.

Two-Line Element Set (TLE)

Two-Line Element Set (TLE)

The compact data format that describes every tracked satellite orbit in just two lines of text, and how to read it

Space Brief 8 Dec 2024

Space Brief 8 Dec 2024

Explore today's key space events including a SpaceX Starlink launch, Neuraspace's new telescope for space traffic monitoring, and Globalstar's defense-focused satellite service debut.

X Report 16 Dec 2024

X Report 16 Dec 2024

SpaceX announces SPHEREx launch date for February 2025, and Airbus completes delivery of Thuraya 4 satellite for upcoming launch.

Space Brief 15 Dec 2025

Space Brief 15 Dec 2025

Today's highlights include multiple SpaceX Starlink launches, a successful Rocket Lab mission for JAXA, and a scheduled launch update from Kennedy Space Center.

Hypersonica Missile Hits Mach 6 in Norway Flight Test | KeepTrack Space Brief

Hypersonica Missile Hits Mach 6 in Norway Flight Test | KeepTrack Space Brief

Hypersonica completes Mach 6+ hypersonic missile flight test in Norway covering 300+ km. Pentagon seeks commercial GEO spy satellites. Gilat wins $9M Israeli defense satcom deal.

B1067 Sets 36-Flight Booster Record on Starlink 10-42 | KeepTrack X Report

B1067 Sets 36-Flight Booster Record on Starlink 10-42 | KeepTrack X Report

Booster B1067 hit 36 flights on July 9, while SpaceX files to expand Starlink to 100,000 satellites at 4,400 lbs each.

Space Brief 27 Aug 2025

Space Brief 27 Aug 2025

Today's key space events include SpaceX's launch of the secretive X-37B military drone, XTAR's U.S. defense market strategy, and China's space station AI upgrade.