Kosmos 1278

Russian military early warning satellite. Kosmos 1278 was launched on June 19, 1981 aboard a Molniya 8K78M from Plesetsk. Latest status in GCAT: reentered (orbital decay) (Sep 2, 2000).

COSPAR 1981-058ANORAD 12547Soviet Union

Identity

Name in GCAT: Kosmos-1278
Common name: Kosmos 1278
Payload designation: Oko 5V95 No. 6011
Other names: 5V95 No. 523-26-532:RA
International designator: 1981-058A
NORAD catalog number: 12547
GCAT identifier: S12547
UN registration: ST/SG/SER.E/057

Mission

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

Launch

Date: June 19, 1981 · 19:37 UTC
Launch record: 1981-058Success
Rocket: Molniya 8K78M
Spaceport: Plesetsk · pad LC43/3

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): HEO/M
Perigee: 665 km
Apogee: 39,725 km
Inclination: 62.87°
Status: Reentered (orbital decay)
Status date: September 2, 2000
Last known active: Jun 4, 1984
End of operations: Jun 4, 1984

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 Q3398242 (CC0).