Kosmos 1261

Russian military early warning satellite. Kosmos 1261 was launched on March 31, 1981 aboard a Molniya 8K78M from Plesetsk. Latest status in GCAT: in orbit.

COSPAR 1981-031ANORAD 12376Soviet Union

Identity

Name in GCAT: Kosmos-1261
Common name: Kosmos 1261
Payload designation: Oko 5V95 No. 5004
Other names: 5V95 No. 523-75-226:RA
International designator: 1981-031A
NORAD catalog number: 12376
GCAT identifier: S12376
UN registration: ST/SG/SER.E/048

Mission

Mission type: Missile early warning
Use: Defense
Program: Oko C
Owner: PVO
Country: Soviet Union
Builder: NPO Lavochkin
Platform (bus): Oko

Launch

Date: March 31, 1981 · 09:39 UTC
Launch record: 1981-031Success
Rocket: Molniya 8K78M
Spaceport: Plesetsk · pad LC41/1

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): HEO/M
Perigee: 638 km
Apogee: 39,747 km
Inclination: 63.05°
Status: In orbit
Last known active: May 6, 1981
End of operations: May 6, 1981

Size

Mass: 1,250 kg
Dry mass: 1,150 kg
Length: 4.0 m
Diameter: 2.00 m
Span: 5.0 m

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q3399279 (CC0).