Artemis 2 Crew Reaches Moon, NASA Cuts Budget 25% | KeepTrack Space Brief
Artemis 2's four astronauts entered lunar sphere of influence April 6, first crewed arrival since Apollo 17. NASA simultaneously proposed 25% budget cut for FY2027.
COSMOS 2159 (21730)
COSPAR: 1991-068C | Alt Name: Kosmos-2159
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
September 28, 1991
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC32/2
Launch Vehicle
Tsiklon-3
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
21730
International Designator
1991-068C
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:51:34 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
82.58°
Right Ascension
269.39°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
234.06°
Period
113.74 min
Mean Motion
12.66 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 2159
Alternative Name
Kosmos-2159
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
UNKSR
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 21730U 91068C 26185.24414721 .00000038 00000-0 14572-3 0 9997
2 21730 82.5831 269.3893 0012863 234.0646 153.0302 12.66047530606399
Source: Celestrak
Summary
COSMOS 2159, also known as Kosmos-2159, is a military communication satellite belonging to the Strela-3 configuration and was launched by the Soviet Union (SU) on September 28, 1991, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome's LC32/2 launch pad using a Tsiklon-3 launch vehicle. The spacecraft measures 1.6 meters in length with a diameter of 0.8 meters and has an antenna span of 7 meters. It has a dry mass of 225 kilograms, the same as its launch mass. Manufactured by NPOPM (NPO Mashinostroyenia), COSMOS 2159 is equipped with solar cells and batteries for power generation. The satellite's shape consists of a cylindrical body with antennas, and it has a radar cross-section (RCS) value of 1.0531 square meters. Its primary purpose is military communication, serving the undisclosed owner UNKSR.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.6
Diameter
0.8
Span
7
Dry Mass
225
Launch Mass
225
Shape
Cyl + Ant
Radar Cross Section
1.0531
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Strela-3
Purpose
Military Communication
Mission
Military Communication
Manufacturer
NPOPM
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Strela-3
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Space Force Awards $1.8B Andromeda Program to 14 Firms | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force selects 14 companies for $1.8 billion Andromeda program to replace GSSAP geosynchronous surveillance satellites with commercial alternatives through 2036.
Space Brief 16 Dec 2025
Today's briefing covers the Space Force's AI integration, new naming conventions for satellites, and updates on military and satellite acquisition strategies.
Space Force Completes First Tactical Orbital Intercept | KeepTrack Space Brief
U.S. Space Force executes first tactical orbital intercept under Victus Haze mission using commercial spacecraft. Rendezvous and proximity operations now operationally demonstrated.
Space Force Stands Up SPACEFOR-NORTH for Homeland Defense | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force inaugurates SPACEFOR-NORTH at Peterson SFB for homeland defense. Viridian inks AFRL satellite agreement. HASC chair seeks $450B defense fund.
X Report 29 Sep 2025
In today's update, SpaceX successfully launched 28 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg, while Italy grapples with its satellite strategy amid rising reliance on Starlink services.
SpaceX Eyes $60B Cursor AI Acquisition Ahead of IPO | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX secured a $60B option to acquire Cursor AI while launching its 40th Falcon 9 mission of 2026, deploying 24 more Starlink satellites from Vandenberg.
New Glenn Explodes at LC-36, Grounded Over 1 Year | KeepTrack Space Brief
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket exploded at Cape Canaveral's LC-36, causing visible pad damage and a year-plus grounding. NASA lunar plans affected.