MOLNIYA 1-89 (24273)

COSPAR: 1996-045A | Alt Name: Molniya-1T
DECAYED

Image
MOLNIYA 1-89 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

August 14, 1996

Launch Site

PLMSC

Launch Pad

LC43/3

Launch Vehicle

Molniya 8K78M

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

24273

International Designator

1996-045A

Decay Date

4/7/2012

Basic Satellite Info

Name

MOLNIYA 1-89

Alternative Name

Molniya-1T

Type

Payload

Status

Decayed

Owner

VKS

Country

Russia

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary
The MOLNIYA 1-89 satellite, also known as Molniya-1T, was launched on August 14, 1996, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Launch Pad LC43/3 using a Molniya 8K78M launch vehicle. The spacecraft is configured as KAUR-2 with dimensions of 4.4 meters in length and 1.4 meters in diameter, featuring a span of 8.6 meters. It has a dry mass of 1620 kg and was launched with a total mass of 1670 kg. The satellite is designed for communication purposes and is operated by VKS (Russian Air Force). It is equipped with six deployable solar arrays and batteries to provide power, and its shape consists of a cylinder plus six panels. Manufactured by NPOPMR, MOLNIYA 1-89 has an expected operational lifetime of three years and utilizes a KDU-414A (S5.114) motor for propulsion. The satellite's RCS is measured at 13.2325.
Physical Characteristics

Length

4.4

Diameter

1.4

Span

8.6

Dry Mass

1620

Launch Mass

1670

Shape

Cyl + 6 Pan

Radar Cross Section

13.2325

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Molniya-1T No. 96L

Purpose

Communication

Mission

Communication

Manufacturer

NPOPMR

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

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