Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
18:12:00
Tuesday December 5, 1978
Cosmos 1051 to 1058 are satellites of the Strela-1M constellation. These satellites operate as mailboxes: they remember the received messages and then resend them after scheduled time, or by command from the Earth. Some sources state the satellites are capable of only three months of active operation, but in accordance to others they can serve for about five years. The satellites are used for transmission of encrypted messages and images.
Low Earth Orbit
8 Payloads
400 kilograms
212th
Mission
17th
Mission of 1978
1270th
Mission
79th
Mission of 1978
113th
Orbital launch attempt