Re-Entry: Molniya 1-93 Military Communications Satellite

Patrick Blau 3562 Views
Image: ISS Reshetnev
Image: ISS Reshetnev

The final Molniya 1 Military Communications Satellite re-entered the atmosphere on April 16, 2016 after over 12 years in orbit. Launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in February 2004 atop a Molniya rocket, the 1,600-Kilogram satellite operated from a highly elliptical orbit with its high point over the northern hemisphere to deliver secure communications to the Russian military and government users.

NORAD ID: 28163
Origin: Russia
Object: Molniya 1-93 (Kosmos 2405)
Type: Molniya 1T Military Communications Satellite

Manufacturer: ISS Reshetnev
Mass: ~1,600kg
Inclination: 63.4°
Launched: February 18, 2004 – 07:05 UTC
Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M
Launch Site: Plesetsk, Russia

Re-Entry Prediction: April 16, 2016 – 4:53 UTC +/-7 Minutes
Re-Entry Zone: South Pacific

Re-Entry Orbit
Image: Spaceflight101/Orbitron
Image: Spaceflight101/Orbitron
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