SFERA (38751)

COSPAR: 1998-067CM | Alt Name: Sfera-53
DECAYED

Image
SFERA Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

November 20, 1998

Launch Pad

LC1

Launch Vehicle

Soyuz-U-PVB

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

38751

International Designator

1998-067CM

Decay Date

11/24/2012

Basic Satellite Info

Name

SFERA

Alternative Name

Sfera-53

Type

Payload

Status

Decayed

Owner

RKKE

Country

Russia

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary
The SFERA satellite (OBJECT_ID: 1998-067CM) is a 53 cm sphere with dimensions of 0.5 meters in length, diameter, and span. Launched by RKKE on November 20, 1998, from LC1 at TYMSC using the Soyuz-U-PVB launch vehicle, it weighs 8 kg both at launch and dry mass. Its primary mission is to measure atmosphere density, equipped with Vektor-T payload but lacks power systems, motors, or ADCS. The satellite was stable until August 3, 2012, with a design lifetime of only three months.
Physical Characteristics

Length

0.5

Diameter

0.5

Span

0.5

Dry Mass

8

Launch Mass

8

Shape

Sphere

Radar Cross Section

0.423

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Vektor-T

Purpose

Atmosphere density

Mission

Atmosphere density

Manufacturer

RKKE

Life Expectancy

3 months

Bus

Sfera-53

Configuration

53 cm sphere

Motor

None

Equipment

None

Power System

None

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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