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MOLNIYA 1-81 (21426)
COSPAR: 1991-043A | Alt Name: Molniya-1
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
June 18, 1991
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC43/4
Launch Vehicle
Molniya 8K78M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
21426
International Designator
1991-043A
Epoch
Sat, 27 Jun 2026 01:16:05 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
63.42°
Right Ascension
178.74°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
257.89°
Period
717.78 min
Mean Motion
2.01 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
MOLNIYA 1-81
Alternative Name
Molniya-1
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
UNKSR
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 21426U 91043A 26178.05283676 .00000290 00000-0 00000-0 0 9994
2 21426 63.4233 178.7431 6766387 257.8920 24.5464 2.00617882256669
Source: Celestrak
Summary
MOLNIYA 1-81, also known as Molniya-1, is a communication satellite launched on June 18, 1991, from the Plesetsk Missile and Space Complex Launch Pad LC43/4 using a Molniya 8K78M launch vehicle. The spacecraft, manufactured by NPOPM, has dimensions of 4.4 meters in length, 1.4 meters in diameter, and an 8.6 meter span. It weighs 1,620 kilograms when dry and had a launch mass of 1,670 kilograms. Equipped with six deployable solar arrays and batteries for power, the satellite's mission was to facilitate communication services. The spacecraft is equipped with a KDU-414A (S5.114) motor and has a shape described as cylindrical with six panels, providing an RCS of 15.6029. Its operational lifetime was approximately three years.
Physical Characteristics
Length
4.4
Diameter
1.4
Span
8.6
Dry Mass
1620
Launch Mass
1670
Shape
Cyl + 6 Pan
Radar Cross Section
15.6029
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Molniya-1T No. 87L
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
NPOPM
Life Expectancy
3 years
Bus
Molniya-1T
Configuration
KAUR-2
Motor
KDU-414A (S5.114)
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
6 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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