PARUS (58173)

COSPAR: 1998-067VZ | Alt Name: VKD-61 Cleaning towel
DECAYED

Image
PARUS Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

November 20, 1998

Launch Pad

LC39A

Launch Vehicle

Falcon 9

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

58173

International Designator

1998-067VZ

Decay Date

11/12/2023

Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info

Name

PARUS

Alternative Name

VKD-61 Cleaning towel

Type

Payload

Status

Decayed

Owner

RKKE

Country

Russia

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary
PARUS, also known as VKD-61 Cleaning Towel, is a CubeSat (1U) satellite launched on November 20, 1998, from the TYSMC launch site using Falcon 9 as the launch vehicle. The satellite was manufactured by Bauman Moscow State Technical University (BMSTU) for technology demonstration purposes and owned by RKKE. It has dimensions of 0.1 meters in length, diameter, and span with a dry mass of 0 kilograms and no equipment listed. Its power source consists of solar cells and batteries. The launch site specified LC39A as the launch pad. There are no details provided for major events or constellation names associated with this satellite.
Physical Characteristics

Length

0.1

Diameter

0.1

Span

0.1

Dry Mass

0

Launch Mass

0

Shape

Irr

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Cleaning towel

Purpose

Technology

Mission

Technology

Manufacturer

Bauman Moscow State Technical University (BMSTU)

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

Unknown

Configuration

CubeSat (1U)

Motor

None

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

Solar cells, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

GPS III SV10 Launches on Falcon 9, X Report 20 Apr 2026

GPS III SV10 Launches on Falcon 9, X Report 20 Apr 2026

GPS III SV10 launched April 21 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 with 3x better accuracy and 8x anti-jamming. Starlink stands at 10,263 working satellites.

X Report 14 Apr 2025

X Report 14 Apr 2025

SpaceX sets a new reuse record with Falcon 9's 27th flight, continuing its Starlink deployment while facing challenges with Starship development.

X Report 9 Jul 2025

X Report 9 Jul 2025

SpaceX successfully launched 28 Starlink satellites, marking a significant milestone with its 500th orbital mission. Both launches underscore the company's commitment to expanding its satellite internet constellation and solidifying its position in the space industry.

Space Brief 4 Apr 2025

Space Brief 4 Apr 2025

Today's highlights include the release of a mystery object by Russian military satellites, SpaceX Fram2 mission insights, Amazon's upcoming satellite launch, and more.

Hayabusa | The Crippled Falcon That Carried an Asteroid Home

Hayabusa | The Crippled Falcon That Carried an Asteroid Home

Sixteen years ago today, a fireball tore across the Australian outback. Most of it was a dying Japanese spacecraft burning up after a seven-year ordeal. The bright dot racing ahead of the wreckage was a capsule holding the first grains of an asteroid ever returned to Earth.

Space Force Completes First Tactical Orbital Intercept | KeepTrack Space Brief

Space Force Completes First Tactical Orbital Intercept | KeepTrack Space Brief

U.S. Space Force executes first tactical orbital intercept under Victus Haze mission using commercial spacecraft. Rendezvous and proximity operations now operationally demonstrated.

Starship Barge Spotted for Component Transport to Kennedy Space Center | KeepTrack X Report

Starship Barge Spotted for Component Transport to Kennedy Space Center | KeepTrack X Report

Starship transport barge identified for shipping components from Starbase to Kennedy Space Center. Starlink's 2025 report shows 4.6M new customers and expansion to 35 new regions.

X Report 19 Nov 2025

X Report 19 Nov 2025

SpaceX successfully launched another batch of Starlink satellites in a night mission, marking a significant return to evening launches post-regulations.