Space Brief 18 Apr 2025
Today's highlights include a Minotaur IV launch of U.S. spy satellites, Rocket Lab's new defense contracts, and the unveiling of Space Force's warfighting framework. Plus, the Satellite Spotlight dives into METEOR 3-1.
COSMOS 2552 (49503)
COSPAR: 2021-113A | Alt Name: Kosmos-2552
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
November 25, 2021
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC43/4
Launch Vehicle
Soyuz-2-1B
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
49503
International Designator
2021-113A
Epoch
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:21:14 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
62.84°
Right Ascension
205.99°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
272.48°
Period
717.76 min
Mean Motion
2.01 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
COSMOS 2552
Alternative Name
Kosmos-2552
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
VVKOV
Country
Russia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 49503U 21113A 26183.88975537 -.00000113 00000-0 00000-0 0 9997
2 49503 62.8371 205.9891 6428489 272.4814 20.7474 2.00624934 33711
Source: Celestrak
Summary
COSMOS 2552 (Kosmos-2552) is a satellite operated by VVKOV and manufactured by RKKE/KOMET. It was launched on November 25, 2021, from the PLMSC launch site using Soyuz-2-1B as the launch vehicle. The spacecraft has a box shape with two panels, measures 4 meters in length and 2 meters in diameter, spans 10 meters when deployed, and has a dry mass of 2000 kilograms. Its primary mission is for early warning and communication purposes. It is equipped with deployable solar arrays and batteries for power generation. The satellite was launched at a mass of 2550 kilograms and is expected to operate for approximately 7.5 years.
Physical Characteristics
Length
4
Diameter
2
Span
10
Dry Mass
2000
Launch Mass
2550
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Kupol No. 15L
Purpose
Early warning, communication
Mission
Early warning, communication
Manufacturer
RKKE/KOMET
Life Expectancy
7.5 years
Bus
14F142
Configuration
USP Bus
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Deployable 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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