Chronology - Quarter 4 1981

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Previous Home Next 1981 October 1 - 09:00 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1 or LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. Cosmos 1313 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-6U. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 203 km (126 mi). Apogee: 286 km (177 mi). Inclination: 70.40 deg. Period: 89.40 min. COSPAR: 1981-099A. USAF Sat Cat: 12881. Duration: 14.00 days. Decay Date: 1981-10-15. Photo surveillance; returned film capsule; maneuverable. References: 2, 6. 1981 October 4 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF03. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 1. Model: Minuteman 1B. ABRES AMARV-3 re-entry vehicle test flight Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). References: 2. 1981 October 6 - 11:27 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2W. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 2310. LV Configuration: Delta 2310 639/D157. SME Nation: USA. Payload: Solar Mesosphere Explorer. Mass: 437 kg (963 lb). Class: Astronomy. Spacecraft: SME. Agency: JPL/UC-L. Perigee: 335 km (208 mi). Apogee: 337 km (209 mi). Inclination: 97.60 deg. Period: 91.30 min. COSPAR: 1981-100A. USAF Sat Cat: 12887. Decay Date: 1991-03-05. Solar Mesosphere Explorer. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). References: 2, 6. Oscar 9 Nation: UK. Program: Oscar. Payload: UoSAT 1. Mass: 52 kg (114 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Amateur Radio. Spacecraft: Microsat SSTL. Manufacturer: Surrey. Agency: SSTL. Perigee: 372 km (231 mi). Apogee: 374 km (232 mi). Inclination: 97.60 deg. Period: 92.00 min. COSPAR: 1981-100B. USAF Sat Cat: 12888. Decay Date: 1989-10-13. University of Surrey research microsatellite. Radio science; also carried amateur radio package. Communication and geophysics research satellite. Launch time 1127 GMT. Also registered by the United States in ST/SG/SER.E/59, with category D and orbital parameters 95.3 min, 531 x 533 km x 97.5 deg. UoSAT-OSCAR 9 was launched piggyback with Solar Mesosphere Explorer satellite. Weight 52 kg. Box shaped 740 x 420 x 420 mm. Deployable gravity gradient boom. Firsts: First on-board computer (IHU - Integrated Housekeeping Unit) for battery and attitude management, remote control, and experiments. Built by the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom, UO-9 was UoSAT's first experimental satellite. It was a scientific and educational low-Earth orbit satellite containing many experiments and beacons but no amateur transponders. UO-9 was fully operational until it re-entered October 13, 1989 from a decaying orbit after nine years of service. References: 2, 6. 1981 October 9 - 10:40 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC41/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. Cosmos 1314 Nation: USSR. Program: Resurs. Payload: Zenit-4MKT no. 19. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-4MKT. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 209 km (129 mi). Apogee: 223 km (138 mi). Inclination: 82.30 deg. Period: 88.90 min. COSPAR: 1981-101A. USAF Sat Cat: 12895. Duration: 13.00 days. Decay Date: 1981-10-22. Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation. References: 2, 6, 103. 1981 October 9 - 16:59 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/39. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/DM. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM 310-01. Raduga 10 Nation: USSR. Payload: Raduga s/n 20L. Mass: 1,940 kg (4,270 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Raduga . Agency: MOM. Perigee: 35,764 km (22,222 mi). Apogee: 35,820 km (22,250 mi). Inclination: 13.70 deg. Period: 1,436.40 min. COSPAR: 1981-102A. USAF Sat Cat: 12897. Completed Operations Date: 1987-10-01. Provision of uninterrupted round the clock telephone and telegraph radiocommunication in the USSR and simultaneous transmission of colour and black-and-white USSR central television programmes to stations in the Orbita network. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 85 deg E in 1981-1987 As of 5 September 2001 located at 76.66 deg E drifting at 0.069 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 65.57E drifting at 0.042W degrees per day. References: 2, 6, 67, 274. 1981 October 13 - 23:01 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Vostok 8A92M. Cosmos 1315 Nation: USSR. Program: Tselina. Payload: Tselina-D no. 31. Mass: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Tselina-D. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 571 km (354 mi). Apogee: 599 km (372 mi). Inclination: 81.20 deg. Period: 96.40 min. COSPAR: 1981-103A. USAF Sat Cat: 12903. Replaced Cosmos 1154. References: 2, 6. 1981 October 14 - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hawk. Model: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion NASA 31.14UE. Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi). References: 2. 1981 October 15 - 09:15 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1 or LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. Cosmos 1316 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-6U. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 381 km (236 mi). Inclination: 70.30 deg. Period: 90.40 min. COSPAR: 1981-104A. USAF Sat Cat: 12905. Duration: 14.00 days. Decay Date: 1981-10-29. Photo surveillance; returned film capsule; maneuverable. References: 2, 6. 1981 October 16 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. Model: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk NASA 18.1027GU. Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi). References: 2. 1981 October 17 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Astrobee. Model: Astrobee F. LV Configuration: Astrobee F NASA 25.40UH. MIT X-ray? X-ray Astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 2. 1981 October 17 - 05:59 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC41/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M. Molniya 3-17 Nation: USSR. Program: Molniya. Payload: Molniya-3 s/n 31. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Molniya-3. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 971 km (603 mi). Apogee: 39,183 km (24,347 mi). Inclination: 62.70 deg. Period: 713.70 min. COSPAR: 1981-105A. USAF Sat Cat: 12915. Decay Date: 1997-01-09. Replaced Molniya 3-12. Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio communications system in the USSR; transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to stations in the Orbita network and within the framework of international cooperation. References: 2, 6. 1981 October 25 - 19:01 GMT - Launch Site: Andoya. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tomahawk Sandia. Model: Nike Tomahawk. LV Configuration: Nike Tomahawk Polar 6. Ferdinand 51 Auroral mission Nation: Norway. Agency: NDRE. Apogee: 184 km (114 mi). References: 2. 1981 October 30 - 06:04 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/40. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/D-1. LV Configuration: Proton-K/D-1 311-01. Venera 13 Nation: USSR. Program: Venera. Payload: 4V-1 s/n 760. Mass: 4,500 kg (9,900 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Venus. Spacecraft: Venera 4V-1. Agency: MOM. COSPAR: 1981-106A. USAF Sat Cat: 12927. Venera 13 and 14 were identical spacecraft built to take advantage of the 1981 Venus launch opportunity and launched 5 days apart. After launch and a four month cruise to Venus, the descent vehicle separated and plunged into the Venus atmosphere on 1 March 1982. As it flew by Venus the bus acted as a data relay for the brief life of the descent vehicle, and then continued on into a heliocentric orbit. After the descent vehicle braked to subsonic speed a parachute was deployed. At an altitude of 47 km the parachute was released and simple airbraking was used the rest of the way to the surface. Venera 13 landed about 950 km northeast of Venera 14 at 7 deg 30 min S, 303 E, just east of the eastern extension of an elevated region known as Phoebe Regio. The area was composed of bedrock outcrops surrounded by dark, fine-grained soil. After landing an imaging panorama was started and a mechanical drilling arm reached to the surface and obtained a sample, which was deposited in a hermetically sealed chamber, maintained at 30 degrees C and a pressure of about .05 atmospheres. The composition of the sample, as determined by the X-ray flourescence spectrometer, put it in the class of weakly differentiated melanocratic alkaline gabbroids. The lander survived for 127 minutes (the planned design life was 32 minutes) in an environment with a temperature of 457 degrees C and a pressure of 84 Earth atmospheres. The bus carried instruments built by Austrian and French specialists, as well as Soviet scientific equipment. References: 2, 6, 67, 274, 296, 428. 1981 October 31 - 09:22 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC40. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 3C. LV Configuration: Titan IIIC 23C-21 (3C-39). Chalet 3 Nation: USA. Payload: Chalet 3 (Vortex 3). Mass: 820 kg (1,800 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Chalet. Agency: NRO/USAF. Perigee: 134 km (83 mi). Apogee: 382 km (237 mi). Inclination: 29.30 deg. Period: 90.40 min. COSPAR: 1981-107A. USAF Sat Cat: 12930. Chalet ELINT satellite. References: 2, 6. 1981 October 31 - 22:54 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC16/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M. Cosmos 1317 Nation: USSR. Payload: Oko #23. Mass: 1,250 kg (2,750 lb). Class: Early Warning. Spacecraft: Oko. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 5,425 km (3,370 mi). Apogee: 34,987 km (21,739 mi). Inclination: 68.30 deg. Period: 719.00 min. COSPAR: 1981-108A. USAF Sat Cat: 12933. Covered Oko constellation plane 8 - 196 degree longitude of ascending node. References: 2, 6, 100. 1981 November 3 - 13:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC41/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. Cosmos 1318 Nation: USSR. Payload: Yantar-2K s/n 944. Mass: 6,600 kg (14,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Yantar-2K. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 172 km (106 mi). Apogee: 353 km (219 mi). Inclination: 67.10 deg. Period: 89.80 min. COSPAR: 1981-109A. USAF Sat Cat: 12936. Duration: 31.00 days. Decay Date: 1981-12-04. Area survey photo reconnaissance; returned film in two small SpK capsules during the mission and with the main capsule at completion of the mission. References: 2, 6, 69. 1981 November 4 - 05:31 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/39. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/D-1. LV Configuration: Proton-K/D-1 311-02. Venera 14 Nation: USSR. Program: Venera. Payload: 4V-1 s/n 761. Mass: 4,000 kg (8,800 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Venus. Spacecraft: Venera 4V-1. Agency: MOM. COSPAR: 1981-110A. USAF Sat Cat: 12938. Venera 13 and 14 were identical spacecraft built to take advantage of the 1981 Venus launch opportunity and launched 5 days apart. After launch and a four month cruise to Venus, the descent vehicle separated and plunged into the Venus atmosphere on 5 March 1982. As it flew by Venus the bus acted as a data relay for the brief life of the descent vehicle, and then continued on into a heliocentric orbit. The parachute of the descent vehicle opened after the lander reached subsonic speed. At an altitude of about 50 km the parachute was released and simple airbraking was used the rest of the way to the surface. Venera 14 landed about 950 km southwest of Venera 13 near the eastern flank of Phoebe Regio at 13 deg 15 min S by 310 E on a basaltic plain. After landing an imaging panorama was started It has been reported that the surface analysis arm accidentally landed on one of the ejected camera covers and therefore didn't send back any data on the Venusian soil. This is visible in photographs sent back. On the other hand, the official account very specifically states that the mechanical drilling arm obtained a sample, which was deposited in a hermetically sealed chamber, maintained at 30 degrees C and a pressure of about .05 atmospheres. The composition of the sample was determined by the X-ray flourescence spectrometer, showing it to be similar to oceanic tholeiitic basalts. The lander survived for 57 minutes (the planned design life was 32 minutes) in an environment with a temperature of 465 degrees C and a pressure of 94 Earth atmospheres. References: 2, 6, 67, 274, 296, 428. 1981 November 7 - 12:03 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Sergeant. Model: Sounding Rocket. LV Configuration: Sergeant GL A30.175. FWIF V Auroral mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF GL. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi). References: 2. 1981 November 9 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Honest John. Model: Taurus Orion. LV Configuration: Taurus Orion NASA 33.21UL. Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 2. 1981 November 12 - 15:10 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-2. STS-2 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: Columbia F02 / DFI. Mass: 8,517 kg (18,776 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Columbia. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 222 km (137 mi). Apogee: 231 km (143 mi). Inclination: 38.00 deg. Period: 89.00 min. COSPAR: 1981-111A. USAF Sat Cat: 12953. Duration: 2.26 days. Decay Date: 1981-11-14. Crew: Engle, Truly. Flight: STS-2. Second shuttle test flight. Payloads: Office of Space and Terrestrial Applications (OSTA)-1 experiments, Orbiter Experiments (OEX). References: 2, 6, 7, 33. DFI Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: DFI PLT. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1981-111xx. USAF Sat Cat: 12953. Decay Date: 1981-11-14. References: 2, 279. OSTA-1 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1981-111xx. USAF Sat Cat: 12953. Decay Date: 1981-11-14. References: 2, 279. 1981 November 13 - 09:30 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1 or LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. Cosmos 1319 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-6U. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 204 km (126 mi). Apogee: 374 km (232 mi). Inclination: 70.40 deg. Period: 90.30 min. COSPAR: 1981-112A. USAF Sat Cat: 12954. Duration: 14.00 days. Decay Date: 1981-11-27. Photo surveillance; returned film capsule. References: 2, 6. 1981 November 14 - Landing of STS-2 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Flight: STS-2. STS-2 landed at 21:23 GMT. 1981 November 17 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 8B. LV Configuration: Black Brant 8B NASA 27.57UH. X-ray astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 253 km (157 mi). References: 2. 1981 November 17 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 8B. LV Configuration: Black Brant 8B NASA 27.09DH. X-ray astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 253 km (157 mi). References: 2. 1981 November 17 - 15:25 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M. Molniya 1-51 Nation: USSR. Program: Molniya. Payload: Molniya-1T. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Molniya-1T. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 134 km (83 mi). Apogee: 39,457 km (24,517 mi). Inclination: 63.50 deg. Period: 702.40 min. COSPAR: 1981-113A. USAF Sat Cat: 12959. Decay Date: 1993-11-02. Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio communications system in the USSR; transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to stations in the Orbita network. References: 2, 6. 1981 November 20 - 01:37 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 3910/PAM. LV Configuration: Delta 3910/PAM 640/D158. RCA Satcom 4; RCA Satcom 3R Nation: USA. Program: Satcom. Payload: Satcom 3R. Mass: 1,078 kg (2,376 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 3000. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin. Agency: RCA Amer. Perigee: 35,824 km (22,259 mi). Apogee: 35,840 km (22,260 mi). Inclination: 8.20 deg. Period: 1,438.40 min. COSPAR: 1981-114A. USAF Sat Cat: 12967. Completed Operations Date: 1991-04-10. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 131 deg W in 1981-1991 As of 3 September 2001 located at 86.96 deg W drifting at 0.634 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 140.04W drifting at 0.601W degrees per day. References: 2, 6. 1981 November 20 - 08:30 GMT - Launch Site: Kapustin Yar. Launch Complex: LC107/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 47193-468. Bhaskara 2 Nation: India. Payload: SEO B. Mass: 444 kg (978 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Landsat. Spacecraft: Bhaskara. Agency: ISRO. Perigee: 368 km (228 mi). Apogee: 372 km (231 mi). Inclination: 50.60 deg. Period: 92.00 min. COSPAR: 1981-115A. USAF Sat Cat: 12968. Decay Date: 1991-11-30. Experimental earth observations. Launched from a cosmodrome in the USSR. References: 2, 6. 1981 November 23 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 8C. LV Configuration: Black Brant 8C NASA 27.52US. Solar mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 322 km (200 mi). References: 2. 1981 November 24 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF09. Launch Pad: LF09?. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. FOT GT84GM-1 Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). References: 2. 1981 November 28 - 18:08 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 65093-121. Cosmos 1320 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 225. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,481 km (920 mi). Apogee: 1,635 km (1,015 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 117.30 min. COSPAR: 1981-116A. USAF Sat Cat: 12975. Eight satellites launched by a single carrier rocket. References: 2, 6. Cosmos 1321 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 226. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,482 km (920 mi). Apogee: 1,632 km (1,014 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 117.20 min. COSPAR: 1981-116B. USAF Sat Cat: 12976. References: 2, 6. Cosmos 1322 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 227. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,481 km (920 mi). Apogee: 1,629 km (1,012 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 117.20 min. COSPAR: 1981-116C. USAF Sat Cat: 12977. References: 2, 6. Cosmos 1323 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 228. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,482 km (920 mi). Apogee: 1,625 km (1,009 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 117.20 min. COSPAR: 1981-116D. USAF Sat Cat: 12978. References: 2, 6. Cosmos 1324 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 229. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,481 km (920 mi). Apogee: 1,620 km (1,000 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 117.10 min. COSPAR: 1981-116E. USAF Sat Cat: 12979. References: 2, 6. Cosmos 1325 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 230. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,481 km (920 mi). Apogee: 1,617 km (1,004 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 117.10 min. COSPAR: 1981-116F. USAF Sat Cat: 12980. References: 2, 6. Cosmos 1326 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 231. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,481 km (920 mi). Apogee: 1,611 km (1,001 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 117.00 min. COSPAR: 1981-116G. USAF Sat Cat: 12981. References: 2, 6. Cosmos 1327 Nation: USSR. Program: Strela. Payload: Strela-1M no. 232. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 1,481 km (920 mi). Apogee: 1,604 km (996 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 116.90 min. COSPAR: 1981-116H. USAF Sat Cat: 12982. References: 2, 6. 1981 December 1 - Launch Site: Nenoksa. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: R-39. Model: Rif. Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. 1981 December 1 - 01:38 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Parry. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 10. LV Configuration: Black Brant X NASA 35.001UE. CENTAUR Auroral mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 612 km (380 mi). References: 2. 1981 December 1 - 15:50 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Petrel. Model: Petrel 1. LV Configuration: Petrel P224K. Lithium / sodium release Aeronomy mission Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Apogee: 187 km (116 mi). References: 2. 1981 December 3 - 11:47 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC32/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tsiklon. Model: Tsiklon-3. Cosmos 1328 Nation: USSR. Program: Tselina. Payload: Tselina-D no. 32. Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Tselina-D. Agency: MO SSSR. Perigee: 597 km (370 mi). Apogee: 619 km (384 mi). Inclination: 82.50 deg. Period: 96.90 min. COSPAR: 1981-117A. USAF Sat Cat: 12987. References: 2, 6. 1981 December 4 - 09:50 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1 or LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. Cosmos 1329 Nation: USSR. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Zenit-6U. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 231 km (143 mi). Apogee: 273 km (169 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 89.50 min. COSPAR: 1981-118A. USAF Sat Cat: 12989. Duration: 14.00 days. Decay Date: 1981-12-18. Photo surveillance; returned film capsule; maneuverable. References: 2, 6. 1981 December 6 - 23:14 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Parry. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 4B. LV Configuration: Black Brant IVB AAF-4B-38. CENTAUR Auroral mission Nation: Canada. Agency: NRCC. Apogee: 615 km (382 mi). References: 2. 1981 December 7 - Launch Site: Jiuquan. Launch Complex: LA2B. Launch Pad: LA2B?. Launch Vehicle: CZ. Model: DF-5. Nation: China. Agency: PRC. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Other sources say launch was from Taiyuan. References: 2. 1981 December 7 - 00:00 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Parry. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Terrier. Model: Terrier Malemute. LV Configuration: Terrier Malemute NASA 29.17CE. CENTAUR Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 451 km (280 mi). References: 2. 1981 December 8 - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: LC35. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Aerobee. Model: Aerobee 150. LV Configuration: Aerobee 150 NASA 04.339UE. UM Airglow payload Magnetosphere mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). References: 2. 1981 December 9 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF26. Launch Pad: LF26?. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. FOT GT85GB Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). References: 2. 1981 December 9 - 17:17 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Petrel. Model: Petrel 2. LV Configuration: Petrel 2 P225K. Lithium / sodium release Aeronomy mission Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Apogee: 188 km (116 mi). References: 2. 1981 December 9 - 21:25 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: S. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 7. LV Configuration: Skylark 7 DLR K-GR-112. EBC81 E2 (ENERGY EB2) Ionosphere / plasma mission Nation: Germany. Agency: DFVLR. Apogee: 237 km (147 mi). References: 2. 1981 December 10 - Launch Site: Natal. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Sonda. Model: Sonda 3. LV Configuration: Sonda 3-M1 XV-10. Ionosphere mission Nation: Brazil. Agency: IAE. Apogee: 239 km (148 mi). References: 2. 1981 December 13 - 22:54 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Parry. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 10. LV Configuration: Black Brant X NASA 35.002UE. CENTAUR Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 662 km (411 mi). References: 2. 1981 December 15 - 23:35 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36B. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: SLV-3D Centaur. LV Configuration: SLV-3D Centaur AC-55 / Centaur D-1AR 5035. Intelsat 5 F-3 Nation: International. Program: Intelsat. Mass: 1,870 kg (4,120 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Intelsat 5. Agency: Intelsat. Perigee: 35,894 km (22,303 mi). Apogee: 36,129 km (22,449 mi). Inclination: 9.40 deg. Period: 1,447.60 min. COSPAR: 1981-119A. USAF Sat Cat: 12994. Completed Operations Date: 1998-01-19. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 24 deg W in 1982-1985; 27 deg W in 1985; 53 deg W in 1985-1988; 174 deg E in 1988-1990; 177 deg E in 1990-1992; 177 deg W in 1992-1995; 157 deg E in 1995-1998 As of 5 September 2001 located at 57.52 deg W drifting at 2.890 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 101.94W drifting at 2.904W degrees per day. References: 2, 6, 278. 1981 December 16 - 14:10 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Petrel. Model: Petrel 1. LV Configuration: Petrel P226K. LITHIUM Aeronomy mission Nation: UK. Agency: SRC. Apogee: 187 km (116 mi). References: 2. 1981 December 17 - 11:00 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 11K65M 53775-120. Radio-3; Radio Sputnik 3 Nation: USSR. Payload: RS-3. Class: Communications. Type: Amateur Radio. Spacecraft: Radio. Agency: Iskra. Perigee: 1,565 km (972 mi). Apogee: 1,657 km (1,029 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 118.50 min. COSPAR: 1981-120A. USAF Sat Cat: 12997. Amateur radiocommunication. Radio-3 to Radio-8 launched by a single carrier rocket. References: 2, 6. Radio-8; Radio Sputnik 8 Nation: USSR. Payload: RS-4. Class: Communications. Type: Amateur Radio. Spacecraft: Radio. Agency: Iskra. Perigee: 1,652 km (1,026 mi). Apogee: 1,682 km (1,045 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 119.70 min. COSPAR: 1981-120B. USAF Sat Cat: 12998. Amateur radiocommunication. Radio-3 to Radio-8 launched by a single carrier rocket. References: 2, 6. Radio-5; Radio Sputnik 5 Nation: USSR. Payload: RS-5. Class: Communications. Type: Amateur Radio. Spacecraft: Radio. Agency: Iskra. Perigee: 1,647 km (1,023 mi). Apogee: 1,668 km (1,036 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 119.50 min. COSPAR: 1981-120C. USAF Sat Cat: 12999. Amateur radiocommunication. Radio-3 to Radio-8 launched by a single carrier rocket. References: 2, 6. Radio-4; Radio Sputnik 4 Nation: USSR. Payload: RS-6. Class: Communications. Type: Amateur Radio. Spacecraft: Radio. Agency: Iskra. Perigee: 1,635 km (1,015 mi). Apogee: 1,666 km (1,035 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 119.30 min. COSPAR: 1981-120D. USAF Sat Cat: 13000. Amateur radiocommunication. Radio-3 to Radio-8 launched by a single carrier rocket. References: 2, 6. Radio-7; Radio Sputnik 7 Nation: USSR. Payload: RS-7. Class: Communications. Type: Amateur Radio. Spacecraft: Radio. Agency: Iskra. Perigee: 1,622 km (1,007 mi). Apogee: 1,661 km (1,032 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 119.10 min. COSPAR: 1981-120E. USAF Sat Cat: 13001. Amateur radiocommunication. Radio-3 to Radio-8 launched by a single carrier rocket. References: 2, 6. Radio-6; Radio Sputnik 6 Nation: USSR. Payload: RS-8. Class: Communications. Type: Amateur Radio. Spacecraft: Radio. Agency: Iskra. Perigee: 1,580 km (980 mi). Apogee: 1,660 km (1,030 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 118.60 min. COSPAR: 1981-120F. USAF Sat Cat: 13002. Amateur radiocommunication. Radio-3 to Radio-8 launched by a single carrier rocket. References: 2, 6. 1981 December 19 - 01:10 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3E. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas E/SVS. LV Configuration: Atlas E/SVS 76E. FAILURE: Failure. Navstar 7 Nation: USA. Program: Navstar. Payload: GPS SVN 7. Mass: 770 kg (1,690 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: GPS Block 1. Manufacturer: Boeing North American, Seal Beach (formerly Rockwell). Agency: U.S. Air Force. COSPAR: F811219A. Decay Date: 1981-12-18. Global Positioning System. References: 278. 1981 December 19 - 11:50 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC31. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. Cosmos 1330 Nation: USSR. Payload: Yantar-2K s/n 952. Mass: 6,600 kg (14,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Yantar-2K. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 164 km (101 mi). Apogee: 376 km (233 mi). Inclination: 70.40 deg. Period: 89.90 min. COSPAR: 1981-121A. USAF Sat Cat: 13008. Duration: 31.00 days. Decay Date: 1982-01-19. Area survey photo reconnaissance; returned film in two small SpK capsules during the mission and with the main capsule at completion of the mission. References: 2, 6, 69. 1981 December 19 - 20:00 GMT - Launch Site: El Arenosillo. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Petrel. Model: Petrel 1. FOCCA I Aeronomy mission Nation: Spain. Agency: INTA. Apogee: 106 km (65 mi). References: 2. 1981 December 20 - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Ariane. Model: Ariane 1. LV Configuration: Ariane 1 L04. Tech. capsule Nation: Europe. Payload: CAT/Thesee. Class: Technology. Spacecraft: CAT. Agency: ESA. Perigee: 199 km (123 mi). Apogee: 36,051 km (22,401 mi). Inclination: 10.60 deg. Period: 636.00 min. COSPAR: 1981-122C. USAF Sat Cat: 13025. Decay Date: 1988-11-21. Ariane L-04 technological capsule, ESA designator ESA/81/04. The technological capsule, equipped with batteries for a lifetime of about 6 orbital revolutions (65h), transmits to earth technological data about test flight L-04 of Ariane. After discharge of the battery the capsule will stop its transmissions and remain in orbit in an inactive status. Frequency 136-138 MHz, projected time of reentry before 1990. References: 2, 6. MARECS 1 Nation: Europe. Program: MARECS. Payload: MARECS A. Mass: 582 kg (1,283 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: ECS/OTS. Agency: ESA. Perigee: 36,782 km (22,855 mi). Apogee: 37,858 km (23,523 mi). Inclination: 10.80 deg. Period: 1,515.20 min. COSPAR: 1981-122A. USAF Sat Cat: 13010. Completed Operations Date: 1996-08-20. MARECS-A was a geostationary maritime communications satellite, which formed part of INMARSAT's world-wide maritime communications satellite network. MARECS-A moved to a new position on the geostationary orbit. Old position: 334E. New position: 22.5 E. The Marecs satellites were members of Inmarsat's first generation global maritime communications network. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 26 deg W in 1982-1986; 178 deg E in 1986-1991; 20 deg E in 1991-1992; 22 deg E in 1992-1996 As of 1 September 2001 located at 11.08 deg W drifting at 18.839 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 168.28W drifting at 18.837W degrees per day. Additional Details: MARECS 1. References: 2, 6. CAT 4 Nation: Europe. Payload: MARECS 1 / CAT 4. Mass: 217 kg (478 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: CAT. Agency: ESA. Perigee: 259 km (160 mi). Apogee: 30,744 km (19,103 mi). Inclination: 10.40 deg. Period: 536.80 min. COSPAR: 1981-122B. USAF Sat Cat: 13011. Launch vehicle test payload. References: 2, 6. 1981 December 23 - 13:15 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1 or LC31. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Molniya 8K78M. Molniya 1-52 Nation: USSR. Program: Molniya. Payload: Molniya-1T. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Molniya-1T. Agency: MOM. Perigee: 2,097 km (1,303 mi). Apogee: 38,267 km (23,777 mi). Inclination: 63.80 deg. Period: 718.00 min. COSPAR: 1981-123A. USAF Sat Cat: 13012. Replaced Molniya 1-45. Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio communications system in the USSR; transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to stations in the Orbita network. References: 2, 6. 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