Science
COSMOS 1989 (ETALON 1)
Geodetic Laser Ranging (MEO) · Soviet Union / Russia
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Russia's ETALON-1 is a 1.3-meter aluminum sphere covered in retroreflectors, orbiting in the same orbital plane as GLONASS navigation satellites. By precisely measuring its orbit via laser ranging, scientists calibrate the GLONASS orbital determination system and measure Earth's gravitational field in medium Earth orbit. One of the longest-serving reference standards in space.
Its orbit
- Orbit
- Medium Earth Orbita high vantage point, ideal for navigation
- Altitude
- 11,851–11,925 mi (19,073–19,192 km)
- Inclination
- 65.0°
- One orbit
- 11.3 hours2.1 orbits a day
- NORAD ID
- 19751
- Int’l designator
- 1989-001C
- Launched
- 1989
Orbital elements from CelesTrak, as of 22 Sep 2026.