2026-244Latest orbital launch: Falcon 9 · Starlink Group 15-16 · Oct 27, 2026 · VandenbergLaunch record →
sci-techmaventhe history of spaceflight, in data
  1. Home
  2. Launches
  3. 1981
  4. 1981-020
// orbital launch

Feniks No. 940

Soyuz-U launch from Plesetsk (Soviet Union) on March 5, 1981, carrying 3 payloads. GCAT records the launch as a success.

March 5, 1981 · 15:00 UTCLaunch 1981-020Launch no. 2,406 in the log
RocketSoyuz-U
SpaceportPlesetskpad LC41/1
OutcomeSuccess
Launch agencyRVSNSoviet Union

Flight

Date and time (UTC)
March 5, 1981, 15:00
Launch designation
1981-020
Mission
Feniks No. 940
Flight name
Kosmos-1248
Vehicle flight ID
77023 -475 ?

Orbit and payload

Initial apogee
363 km
Payload mass to orbit
6.6 t
Payloads
3
GCAT launch code
OS

Payloads

PayloadDesignationOwnerMission typeMassFate
Kosmos-12481981-020ANORAD 12317Main Space Forces DirectorateOptical imaging2,886 kgLanded · Apr 4, 1981
Spuskaemaya Kapsula1981-020Ministry of General Machine Building———
Spuskaemaya Kapsula1981-020Ministry of General Machine Building———

Source: GCAT launch list and payload catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0). Orbit values are the initial orbit reported for the launch.