Space Brief 14 May 2025
Today's edition covers China's latest launches in their classified satellite programs, ongoing discussions in the U.S. Senate on missile defense, and the ever-escalating space debris crisis threatening national security.
GORIZONT 23 (21533)
COSPAR: 1991-046A | Alt Name: Gorizont
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
July 1, 1991
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC200/39
Launch Vehicle
Proton-K/DM-2
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
21533
International Designator
1991-046A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:02:26 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
13.73°
Right Ascension
341.37°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
330.58°
Period
1455.91 min
Mean Motion
0.99 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
GORIZONT 23
Alternative Name
Gorizont
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
MSVYAZ
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 21533U 91046A 26184.91835804 -.00000016 00000-0 00000-0 0 9991
2 21533 13.7267 341.3733 0007265 330.5835 206.2692 0.98907165 46858
Source: Celestrak
Summary
GORIZONT 23, also known as Gorizont, is a communication satellite launched on July 1, 1991, from TYMSC (LC200/39) using the Proton-K/DM-2 launch vehicle. The spacecraft measures 5.5 meters in length with a diameter of 3.3 meters and a span of 9.5 meters when its solar arrays are deployed. It has a dry mass of 2,000 kilograms and was manufactured by NPOPM for MSVYAZ (Owner). Equipped with six C-band transponders and one Ku-band transponder, the satellite's communication capabilities were powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. Launched with a mass of 2,120 kilograms, its mission was to provide communication services and it operated for approximately three years. The satellite has a shape described as "Cyl + 2 Pan" (cylinder plus two panels), with an RCS (reflective cross-section) area of 4.5317 square meters.
Physical Characteristics
Length
5.5
Diameter
3.3
Span
9.5
Dry Mass
2000
Launch Mass
2120
Shape
Cyl + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
4.5317
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Gorizont No. 34L
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
NPOPM
Life Expectancy
3 years
Bus
Gorizont
Configuration
KAUR-3
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
6 C-band transponders, 1 Ku-band transponder
Power System
2 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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