Space Brief 2 Jun 2025
Today's edition covers SpaceX's Starlink launch delay, a breakthrough in ceramic manufacturing for space, and Momentus's orbital tech demo, among other headlines.
MOLNIYA 1-77 (20583)
COSPAR: 1990-039A | Alt Name: Molniya-1
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
April 26, 1990
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC43/4
Launch Vehicle
Molniya 8K78M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
20583
International Designator
1990-039A
Decay Date
2/25/2005
Basic Satellite Info
Name
MOLNIYA 1-77
Alternative Name
Molniya-1
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
UNKS
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
MOLNIYA 1-77, also known as Molniya-1, is a communication satellite launched on April 26, 1990, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Launch Pad LC43/4, using the Molniya 8K78M launch vehicle. The satellite has dimensions of 4.4 meters in length and 1.4 meters in diameter with a span of 8.6 meters. It was manufactured by NPOPM and had a dry mass of 1620 kilograms and a launch mass of 1650 kilograms. Its power system consists of six deployable solar arrays and batteries, and it is configured as KAUR-2 for communication purposes. The satellite's shape is cylindrical with six panels and has an RCS value of 8.2651. It was designed to operate for approximately three years.
Physical Characteristics
Length
4.4
Diameter
1.4
Span
8.6
Dry Mass
1620
Launch Mass
1650
Shape
Cyl + 6 Pan
Radar Cross Section
8.2651
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Molniya-1T No. 86L
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
NPOPM
Life Expectancy
3 years
Bus
Molniya-1
Configuration
KAUR-2
Motor
KDU-414A (S5.114)
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
6 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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