Space Brief 22 Oct 2025
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STERKH 2 (35866)
COSPAR: 2009-049B | Alt Name: Sterkh No. 12L
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
September 17, 2009
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC31
Launch Vehicle
Soyuz-2-1B
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
35866
International Designator
2009-049B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:52:42 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
98.72°
Right Ascension
146.17°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
214.01°
Period
101.13 min
Mean Motion
14.24 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
STERKH 2
Alternative Name
Sterkh No. 12L
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
POLK
Country
Russia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 35866U 09049B 26185.11993876 .00000118 00000-0 70611-4 0 9995
2 35866 98.7158 146.1684 0002250 214.0125 146.0910 14.23978888872053
Source: Celestrak
Summary
STERKH 2, also known as Sterkh No. 12L, is a communications satellite built by POLK for the COSPAS-SARSAT mission. Launched on September 17, 2009, from the LC31 launch pad at TYMSC using a Soyuz-2-1B launch vehicle, this satellite operates under Russian ownership and has a configuration known as Sterkh Bus. It measures 1.4 meters in length, 0.6 meters in diameter, with a span of 1.5 meters. The dry mass of the satellite is 171 kilograms, which was also its launch mass. Its shape consists of a box structure plus two panels and an antenna (Box + 2 Pan + Ant). STERKH 2 is powered by two deployable fixed solar arrays and batteries, with a lifetime expectancy of five years. The satellite's purpose is to provide communications services for the COSPAS-SARSAT system, and it has a radar cross-section of 0.783 square meters.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.4
Diameter
0.6
Span
1.5
Dry Mass
171
Launch Mass
171
Shape
Box + 2 Pan + Ant
Radar Cross Section
0.783
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Sterkh No. 12L
Purpose
Communications (COSPAS-SARSAT)
Mission
Communications (COSPAS-SARSAT)
Manufacturer
POLK
Life Expectancy
5 years
Bus
Sterkh
Configuration
Sterkh Bus
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
2 deployable fixed 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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