COSMOS 968
NORAD 10520
Payload
LEO
1977-119A
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LEO · NORAD 10520
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🛰️ Orbital Parameters
Perigee
756 km
Apogee
780 km
Inclination
74.0°
Period
100.2 min
Mean Motion
14.37081750 rev/day
TLE Epoch
2026-05-08 13:00:00 UTC
📐 Computed Orbital Characteristics
Avg. Altitude768 km
Orbital Velocity26,900 km/h
Velocity7.47 km/s
Orbital Period100 minutes
Orbits / Day14.37
Eccentricity0.0017
Semi-Major Axis7,139 km
Est. Orbital Lifetime~25–100 years
🚀 Launch & Identity
Country / Operator
🇷🇺 Russia (CIS)
Launch Date
1977-12-16
Launch Site
PKMTR
Int'l Designator
1977-119A
Object Type
Payload
RCS Size
Large (>1 m²)
📖 About This Object
COSMOS 968 is an active satellite operated by Russia (CIS), launched on 1977-12-16 from PKMTR. With over 49 years in orbit, it has far exceeded many satellites’ design lifetimes. It orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 756 km and 780 km with an inclination of 74.0°. It travels at approximately 26,900 km/h (7.47 km/s), completing one full orbit every 100 minutes — that’s roughly 14.37 orbits per day. At its current altitude, the estimated orbital lifetime before atmospheric re-entry is ~25–100 years. Orbital Radar tracks COSMOS 968 in real time using the latest two-line element set (TLE) data, providing live position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated continuously.
🌍 Orbit Context
COSMOS 968 occupies the mid-LEO band between 600 and 1,000 km, where atmospheric drag is minimal but radiation exposure remains low. This altitude range balances orbital longevity (decades to centuries) with reasonable ground coverage, making it popular for remote sensing constellations, scientific instruments and weather satellites. Debris concerns are significant here because objects persist far longer than in lower orbits.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
COSMOS 968 orbits in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 756 km (perigee) and 780 km (apogee), with an average altitude of approximately 768 km. It completes one orbit every 100 minutes, travelling at approximately 26,900 km/h (16,715 mph).
COSMOS 968 is operated by Russia (CIS). It is catalogued by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network under NORAD ID 10520. You can track COSMOS 968 in real time on Orbital Radar’s live tracker.
COSMOS 968 was launched on 1977-12-16 from PKMTR. At its current altitude, the estimated remaining orbital lifetime is: ~25–100 years.
Yes — Orbital Radar tracks COSMOS 968 (NORAD ID 10520) using the latest TLE (two-line element set) data from Space-Track and CelesTrak. Open the live tracker to see its current position, altitude, speed and orbital path updated in real time.
COSMOS 968 travels at approximately 26,900 km/h (16,715 mph) — roughly 7.47 km/s. It completes 14.37 orbits per day, meaning the crew or instruments aboard (if any) would experience approximately 29 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours.