Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
21:41:00
Tuesday February 13, 1979
Tselina is a Russian, formerly Soviet, military space-based radio surveillance system. It is capable of determining the exact location of radio-emitting objects and also their type, modes of operation, and how active they are. For instance, preparation for a military operation may raise the activity of the radio communications. Detection of these communications by a space-based surveillance system can provide early warning of this activity, warning that may be unavailable by other means.
Low Earth Orbit
1 Payload
1,750 kilograms
109th
Mission
2nd
Mission of 1979
1292nd
Mission
10th
Mission of 1979
12th
Orbital launch attempt