MOLNIYA 3-38 (20646)

COSPAR: 1990-052A | Alt Name: Molniya-3

DECAYED

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

June 13, 1990

Launch Site

PLMSC

Launch Pad

LC43/3

Launch Vehicle

Molniya 8K78M

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

20646

International Designator

1990-052A

Decay Date

2/26/2006

Basic Satellite Info

Name

MOLNIYA 3-38

Alternative Name

Molniya-3

Type

Payload

Status

Decayed

Owner

UNKS/MSVYAZ

Country

USSR

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary

MOLNIYA 3-38, also known as Molniya-3 No. 47, is a communication satellite launched on June 13, 1990, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using the Molniya 8K78M launch vehicle. Manufactured by NPOPM, this satellite has dimensions of 3.6 meters in length and 1.6 meters in diameter with a span of 8.1 meters. It was designed for a three-year lifetime and had a dry mass of 1,700 kilograms and a launch mass of 1,750 kilograms. The configuration is known as KAUR-2, equipped with six deployable solar arrays providing 1,000 W of power along with batteries. The satellite's propulsion system includes either KDU-414A (S5.114) or 11D414NS motors for attitude control and maneuvering. The spacecraft is cylindrical in shape with six panels and has a radar cross-section of 15.1356 square meters. It was owned by UNKS/MSVYAZ, the Soviet Ministry of Communications, intended for communication purposes within the Molniya-3 constellation.

Physical Characteristics

Length

3.6

Diameter

1.6

Span

8.1

Dry Mass

1700

Launch Mass

1750

Shape

Cyl + 6 Pan

Radar Cross Section

15.1356

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Molniya-3 No. 47

Purpose

Communication

Mission

Communication

Manufacturer

NPOPM

Life Expectancy

3 years

Bus

Molniya-3

Configuration

KAUR-2

Motor

KDU-414A (S5.114) or 11D414NS

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

6 deployable solar arrays (1000 W), batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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