Space Brief 18 Nov 2024
Today's brief highlights a Starlink satellite launch, an OpTech optical sensor contract for the Space Force, and a unique STEM experiment involving space-flown seeds.
Launch Date
April 21, 1993
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC43/4
Launch Vehicle
Molniya 8K78M
NORAD ID
22633
International Designator
1993-025A
Decay Date
1/25/2004
Name
MOLNIYA 3-44
Alternative Name
Molniya-3
Type
Status
Owner
VKS/GPKS
Country
Russia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Length
3.6
Diameter
1.6
Span
8.1
Dry Mass
1700
Launch Mass
1750
Shape
Cyl + 6 Pan
Radar Cross Section
9.8529
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Molniya-3 No. 57L
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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