Quote from: Galactic Penguin SST on 10/21/2017 09:01 amDo we at least know by now what version of the Soyuz-2.1 will be used? I would not be surprised if it is a Soyuz 2.1b. Many were ordered.
Do we at least know by now what version of the Soyuz-2.1 will be used?
It will be a 2-1v, but it is now delayed to November.http://www.militarynews.ru/Story.asp?rid=1&nid=464881
Launch delayed indefinitely.
Quote from: Nicolas PILLET on 10/24/2017 09:32 pmLaunch delayed indefinitely.Any indications why?
Quote from: Alter Sachse on 11/03/2017 01:42 pmsee reply # 1It seems to be this satellite (Liana/Lotos or "Lotos FO")http://www.russianspaceweb.com/2017.html#milsatThis report is about a Soyuz-2.1B not 2.1V
see reply # 1It seems to be this satellite (Liana/Lotos or "Lotos FO")http://www.russianspaceweb.com/2017.html#milsat
Quote from: Olaf on 11/03/2017 03:02 pmQuote from: Alter Sachse on 11/03/2017 01:42 pmsee reply # 1It seems to be this satellite (Liana/Lotos or "Lotos FO")http://www.russianspaceweb.com/2017.html#milsatThis report is about a Soyuz-2.1B not 2.1VSomething is wrong.25.10. is mentioned (-->2.1v)and Lotos is too heavy for 2.1v...2.1B must be another launch ?
Quote from: Alter Sachse on 11/03/2017 04:08 pmQuote from: Olaf on 11/03/2017 03:02 pmQuote from: Alter Sachse on 11/03/2017 01:42 pmsee reply # 1It seems to be this satellite (Liana/Lotos or "Lotos FO")http://www.russianspaceweb.com/2017.html#milsatThis report is about a Soyuz-2.1B not 2.1VSomething is wrong.25.10. is mentioned (-->2.1v)and Lotos is too heavy for 2.1v...2.1B must be another launch ?I think that the confusion is because originally it wasn't known which version of the Soyuz-2 would be used on this launch. When it became clear it was to be a Soyuz-2-1V that narrowed down the payload which could be carried.l
Dec. 1: A Soyuz-2-1B rocket to launch the first 14F145/Lotos military satellite for the Liana electronic intelligence network from Plesetsk. The mission was previously planned for Oct. 25, 2017, but had to be postponed until beginning of November and until November 18, at the earliest, due to problems with the satellite. On Oct. 25, space officials were expected to hold a meeting in Moscow on the status of the mission. The launch was then postponed until December 1, 2017.....December: A Soyuz-2-1v rocket to launch a classified payload from Plesetsk.
According to a post from Nicolas Pillet on the schedule thread, there will be a Soyuz-2 launch from Plesetsk on 25th October 2017.
The next launch of the Soyuz 2.1v rocket was planned for October, but for technical reasons it was decided to postpone it to November.
November: A Soyuz-2-1v rocket to launch a classified payload from Plesetsk. The mission was previously planned for Oct. 25, 2017.
Dec. 1: A Soyuz-2-1B rocket to launch the first 14F145/Lotos military satellite for the Liana electronic intelligence network from Plesetsk. The mission was previously planned for Oct. 25, 2017, but had to be postponed until beginning of November and until November 18, at the earliest, due to problems with the satellite. On Oct. 25, space officials were expected to hold a meeting in Moscow on the status of the mission. The launch was then postponed until December 1, 2017.December: A Soyuz-2-1v rocket to launch a classified payload from Plesetsk.
Soyuz-2-1v - December 27http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/messages/forum14/topic14042/message1711028/#message1711028
Оказание услуг по авиационной перевозке контейнера с ЭМКА, контейнеров с НТО на космодром «Плесецк» и его страхованию
9) Проведены исследования по созданию космического комплекса ДЗЗ на базе экспериментального малого космического аппарата (ЭМКА).Перспективы развития в сегменте НПК «Космические комплексы» в 2017 году:- осуществление запуска экспериментального малого космического аппарата;- продолжение исследований по созданию космического комплекса ДЗЗ на базе экспериментального малого космического аппарата;
Is this the payload?QuoteОказание услуг по авиационной перевозке контейнера с ЭМКА, контейнеров с НТО на космодром «Плесецк» и его страхованиюhttp://zakupki.gov.ru/223/purchase/public/purchase/info/common-info.html?regNumber=31705773827Quote9) Проведены исследования по созданию космического комплекса ДЗЗ на базе экспериментального малого космического аппарата (ЭМКА).Перспективы развития в сегменте НПК «Космические комплексы» в 2017 году:- осуществление запуска экспериментального малого космического аппарата;- продолжение исследований по созданию космического комплекса ДЗЗ на базе экспериментального малого космического аппарата;http://www.vniiem.ru/ru/uploads/files/god_otchet_2016.pdf
The Russian launch schedule thread lists this one as scheduled for this week. Has there been any indication that it is holding that schedule? Has anybody seen any NOTAMs that could indicate a launch is close?
Do we know if this launch will use an upper stage, such as Volga, or launch with no upper stage?If not, when do we find out--when the LV is rolled out to the pad and images are released?
Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 01/11/2018 09:47 pmDo we know if this launch will use an upper stage, such as Volga, or launch with no upper stage?If not, when do we find out--when the LV is rolled out to the pad and images are released?The Volga stage will presumably be hidden within the payload shroud, so it won't be visible.
Quote from: William Graham on 12/31/2017 11:26 pmThe Russian launch schedule thread lists this one as scheduled for this week. Has there been any indication that it is holding that schedule? Has anybody seen any NOTAMs that could indicate a launch is close?Anatoly Zak has it listed now on his site in the first quarter after Soyuz MS-08 due to ongoing payload issues although he does not yet call it EMKA. He foresee's no launches until February at this time.http://russianspaceweb.com/2018.html
Feb. 28: A Soyuz-2-1v rocket to launch a classified payload based on the experimental small-satellite platform, EMKA, from Plesetsk.
Quote from: russianhalo117 on 01/01/2018 02:18 amQuote from: William Graham on 12/31/2017 11:26 pmThe Russian launch schedule thread lists this one as scheduled for this week. Has there been any indication that it is holding that schedule? Has anybody seen any NOTAMs that could indicate a launch is close?Anatoly Zak has it listed now on his site in the first quarter after Soyuz MS-08 due to ongoing payload issues although he does not yet call it EMKA. He foresee's no launches until February at this time.http://russianspaceweb.com/2018.htmlAnatoly Zak has determined that EMKA is actually a Spacecraft Platform and not the name of the Spacecraft flying:http://russianspaceweb.com/2018.html#mkaQuoteFeb. 28: A Soyuz-2-1v rocket to launch a classified payload based on the experimental small-satellite platform, EMKA, from Plesetsk.
https://twitter.com/RussianSpaceWeb/status/964957604651859969QuoteRussian military postpones the launch of a #Soyuz-2-1v rocket with a classified payload from #Plesetsk until the end of March: http://www.russianspaceweb.com/2018.html#mka
Russian military postpones the launch of a #Soyuz-2-1v rocket with a classified payload from #Plesetsk until the end of March: http://www.russianspaceweb.com/2018.html#mka
Soyuz-2-1v - March 28-29:http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/messages/forum14/topic16307/message1742272/#message1742272
The satellite was to be transported to the launch site from Chkalovskiy airfield near Moscow using an Ilyushin-76 owned by the cosmonaut training center.
Quote from: B. Hendrickx on 03/14/2018 08:56 amThe satellite was to be transported to the launch site from Chkalovskiy airfield near Moscow using an Ilyushin-76 owned by the cosmonaut training center.Which is quite strange...
It shows RF 75353 which is the zero gravity aeroplane?
HYDROARC 39/2018 (42,43) BARENTS SEA. SVALBARD. DNC 22. 1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING 1715Z TO 1830Z DAILY 29 AND 30 MAR IN AREA BOUND BY 75-59N 021-26E, 75-50N 022-05E, 75-34N 022-47E, 75-21N 022-52E, 75-15N 022-13E, 75-24N 021-29E, 75-36N 020-51E, 75-53N 020-43E. 2. CANCEL HYDROARC 36/18. 3. CANCEL THIS MSG 301930Z MAR 18. ( 270756Z MAR 2018 )
Is this really what the EMKA platorm looks like?https://www.facebook.com/notes/roland-berga/roscosmos-next-launch/2008939572469330/It looks rather more massive than ~200 kg to me ..........
Quote from: Phillip Clark on 03/28/2018 02:37 pmIs this really what the EMKA platorm looks like?https://www.facebook.com/notes/roland-berga/roscosmos-next-launch/2008939572469330/It looks rather more massive than ~200 kg to me ..........Spektr-RG?
Quote from: Stan Black on 03/28/2018 03:09 pmQuote from: Phillip Clark on 03/28/2018 02:37 pmIs this really what the EMKA platorm looks like?https://www.facebook.com/notes/roland-berga/roscosmos-next-launch/2008939572469330/It looks rather more massive than ~200 kg to me ..........Spektr-RG?Yes they are showing Spektr-RG which is flying on Proton-M/Blok-DM-03.
HYDROARC 40/2018 (42,43) BARENTS SEA. SVALBARD. DNC 22. 1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING 1630Z TO 1830Z DAILY 29 AND 30 MAR IN AREA BOUND BY 75-59N 021-26E, 75-50N 022-05E, 75-34N 022-47E, 75-21N 022-52E, 75-15N 022-13E, 75-24N 021-29E, 75-36N 020-51E, 75-53N 020-43E. 2. CANCEL HYDROARC 39/18. 3. CANCEL THIS MSG 301930Z MAR 18. ( 271909Z MAR 2018 ) HYDROARC 41/2018 (42) BARRENTS SEA. RUSSIA. DNC 22. 1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING 1630Z TO 1830Z DAILY 29 AND 30 MAR IN AREA BOUND BY 70-18N 033-49E, 70-12N 034-11E, 69-54N 034-45E, 69-33N 034-47E, 69-25N 034-15E, 69-35N 033-37E, 69-53N 033-05E, 70-13N 033-11E. 2. CANCEL HYDROARC 32/18. 3. CANCEL THIS MSG 301930Z MAR 18. ( 280134Z MAR 2018 )
Is there a NOTAM for the disposal of the Volga, or what is the best way to search for these?
https://twitter.com/RussianSpaceWeb/status/979365045556703232Launch time will be at 17:38:42 UTC.
A direct video link? Or being military is not transmitted?.
And confirmation from the Russian media:http://tass.ru/kosmos/5079998
ITAR-TASS is saying the launch was successful.
Orbit has been achieved. It will take "several hours" to reach the target orbit.http://tass.ru/kosmos/5080043
These pictures show Angara-A5 launch in 2014 and second Soyuz-2.1v launch in 2015.Congratulations to Spaceflightfans.cn for putting their mark on pictures that do not belong to them and that do not show today launch.
We also have Object B (Stage II?)2018-028B/43244 in 316 x 317 km x 96.64°
still called Blok I?
There was no Volga on this launch.
Seems to correspond to SSO according to https://smallsats.org/2013/04/11/sun-synchronous-circular-orbit/
Quote from: Satori on 03/29/2018 09:17 pmThere was no Volga on this launch.Interesting...another piece of evidence to deduce the payload was relatively light, light enough to be placed in SSO with no Volga upper stage?***Also, another data point of successful use of the NK-33.
Some pictures :https://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12169076@egNews
Quote from: Phillip Clark on 01/11/2018 09:51 pmQuote from: zubenelgenubi on 01/11/2018 09:47 pmDo we know if this launch will use an upper stage, such as Volga, or launch with no upper stage?If not, when do we find out--when the LV is rolled out to the pad and images are released?The Volga stage will presumably be hidden within the payload shroud, so it won't be visible.From what I have found, I think the first six rockets had associated Volga upper stages. The initial five are part of one contract for the Russian military. The sixth was for Lomonosov satellite.
Quote from: Stan Black on 01/11/2018 10:05 pmQuote from: Phillip Clark on 01/11/2018 09:51 pmQuote from: zubenelgenubi on 01/11/2018 09:47 pmDo we know if this launch will use an upper stage, such as Volga, or launch with no upper stage?If not, when do we find out--when the LV is rolled out to the pad and images are released?The Volga stage will presumably be hidden within the payload shroud, so it won't be visible.From what I have found, I think the first six rockets had associated Volga upper stages. The initial five are part of one contract for the Russian military. The sixth was for Lomonosov satellite.Apparently, Cosmos 2525 did not carry the Volga stage. I wonder if this means that the EMKA payload was not originally scheduled to be one of the first 5/6 launches?
2018-028A 1 43243U 18028A 18089.57457019 -.00000128 00000-0 00000+0 0 99902 43243 96.6418 146.0162 0002140 93.2731 54.4532 15.84608771 1382018-028B 1 43244U 18028B 18089.30767569 .00007630 00000-0 33211-4 0 99952 43244 96.6452 145.7665 0001399 179.6283 247.5337 15.85056574 99
Quote from: Nicolas PILLET on 03/29/2018 06:44 pmThese pictures show Angara-A5 launch in 2014 and second Soyuz-2.1v launch in 2015.Congratulations to Spaceflightfans.cn for putting their mark on pictures that do not belong to them and that do not show today launch.Removed it and that site won't be allowed to post here again.
Some months ago, NK announced that fourth flight of Soyuz-2.1v would use launcher n°5.I try to read the serial number on the video, but it is not easy...
Yes, I can read "7807200", but the last figure (the most interesting) is still mysterious !
According to your notice, it should be 78072-005 (78072005)
The launch of the Soyuz-2 rocket of phase 1vMarch 30, 2018On March 29, 2018, the Soyuz-2 launch vehicle phase 1v and a spacecraft in the interests of national security were launched from the launch pad of the site 43 of the Plesetsk launch site.This is the fourth launch of the Soyuz-2 LV phase 1v under the flight test program. The first launch of the Soyuz-2 LV phase 1v took place on December 28, 2013. In total, within the framework of flight tests, specialists of RKTs Progress need to implement five launching campaigns.The Soyuz-2 launch vehicle phase 1v is intended for launching spacecraft and launching a payload mass of up to 3 tons to low Earth orbit. This is the first launch vehicle of light class with the use of liquid rocket engines, developed in modern Russia.
The launch of the Soyuz-2.1v LV June 24, 2017June 23, 2017 at 21 hours 04 minutes Moscow time from the launch pad of the site 43 of the Plesetsk cosmodrome the launch of the Soyuz-2.1v rocket with the launching unit Volga and a satellite in the interests of national security was held. The two-phase light vehicle of the Soyuz-2.1v light class was developed and manufactured at the RKTs Progress (Progress, Samara).This is the third launch of the Soyuz-2.1v launch vehicle under the flight testing program, and the fourth launch of the Volga launch unit. The first launch of the Soyuz-2.1v LV and launching unit Volga took place on December 28, 2013. In total, in the framework of flight tests, the specialists of RKTs Progress need to implement five launching campaigns.The Soyuz-2.1v launch vehicle is designed to launch spacecraft and launch a payload with a mass of up to 3 tons to a low near-Earth orbit, and with the use of the upper stage Volga, up to 1.4 tons, to solar synchronous orbit. This is the first launch vehicle of light class with the use of liquid rocket engines, developed in modern Russia.
Does this launcher use a newly built engine, or did it use one built back in the 70s?
Quote from: owais.usmani on 03/31/2018 01:00 pmDoes this launcher use a newly built engine, or did it use one built back in the 70s?Currently, the Soyuz-2.1v first stage uses the NK-33 engine, which dates back to the '70s, but it also utilizes the newly-manufactured RD-0110R vernier engine for augmentation and steering.As for the second stage, its RD-0124 engine has been used in recent years.
Thanks, so that means they have no plans for production restart of the NK-33?
I should add on to Nicolas PILLET's response that once the NK-33 inventory is gone, the RD-193 will be the new first stage engine for the Soyuz-2.1v, although I'm not sure if the RD-0110R will remain as the vernier by that time.
Can anyone clarify how many trips Cosmos 2525/EMKA made to Plesetsk, please?Bart Hendrickx noted in reply #30 on this thread that there were contracts to transport the spacecraft to Plesetsk for November 27, 2017 and February 26, 2018.So, if the satellite went to Plesetsk in October last year and the launch was cancelled (supposedly because of problems with the satellite) then one would expect a transportation contract to return the spaccraft from Plesetsk to Moscow. On the other hand, perhaps the problems were found before shipment to Plesetsk, in which case the contract for October was not fulfilled, and the only trip to Plesetsk was in February this year.I would appreciate any corrections of the above or clarifications please.
Quote from: Phillip Clark on 04/04/2018 11:23 amCan anyone clarify how many trips Cosmos 2525/EMKA made to Plesetsk, please?Bart Hendrickx noted in reply #30 on this thread that there were contracts to transport the spacecraft to Plesetsk for November 27, 2017 and February 26, 2018.So, if the satellite went to Plesetsk in October last year and the launch was cancelled (supposedly because of problems with the satellite) then one would expect a transportation contract to return the spaccraft from Plesetsk to Moscow. On the other hand, perhaps the problems were found before shipment to Plesetsk, in which case the contract for October was not fulfilled, and the only trip to Plesetsk was in February this year.I would appreciate any corrections of the above or clarifications please.It's not really possible to tell for sure based on the documentation that is available online. According to the documentation published in November ("purchase nr. 31705573827") the satellite was to be transported to the cosmodrome on 26 November. There are updates about this purchase on 4 December and 21 December 2017, which would seem to indicate that the transport hadn't taken place yet. On the other hand, there is a line elsewhere saying "purchase completed". There's no sign of a contract about the return of EMKA from Plesetsk to Moscow, at least not if you perform a search using the words "Plesetsk" or "EMKA". I haven't bothered to look further. Some new documentation appeared a couple of days ago which appears to be related to the return of cargo from Plesetsk to Moscow after the EMKA launch. http://zakupki.gov.ru/223/purchase/public/purchase/info/documents.html?regNumber=31806332496
No manoeuvres of Cosmos 2525March 29 96.64 deg 90.87 min 316 319 kmJuly 09 96.63 90.53 299 302
Quote from: Alter Sachse on 07/11/2018 02:36 pmNo manoeuvres of Cosmos 2525March 29 96.64 deg 90.87 min 316 319 kmJuly 09 96.63 90.53 299 302Just the very small manoeuvre which I reported on May 24.
Quote from: Phillip Clark on 07/11/2018 02:39 pmQuote from: Alter Sachse on 07/11/2018 02:36 pmNo manoeuvres of Cosmos 2525March 29 96.64 deg 90.87 min 316 319 kmJuly 09 96.63 90.53 299 302Just the very small manoeuvre which I reported on May 24.Or it was inaccurate data ?
I thought he would raise his orbit or holding a certain level (to do his job).But he falls and falls.
Quote from: Alter Sachse on 07/11/2018 02:36 pmNo manoeuvres of Cosmos 2525March 29 96.64 deg 90.87 min 316 319 kmJuly 09 96.63 90.53 299 302July 28 96.63 90.45 295 299
So far the Cosmos 2525 orbit has continued its slow decay.
Assuming Kosmos 2525 is VNIIEM's Zvezda satellite (which we have every reason to believe based on evidence presented earlier in this thread), it has a thermal catalytic propulsion system of OKB Fakel called K50-10.5. That at least was the plan in 2015 when this paper was published (about the selection of engines for Zvezda):http://ihst.ru/files/pdfs/Korolevskie-chteniya-2015-Materialy.pdf(see p. 59-60)At the time the objective was to place Zvezda into a nearly circular 500 km Sun-synchronous orbit. According to the article, the engine unit was to be used to correct orbit insertion errors, maintain the working orbit throughout the satellite's lifetime and ensure proper phasing between satellites in a constellation. The mass of the engine unit should not exceed 30 kg. It was to have a total impulse of not more than 2 t.s , a thrust of between 5 mN and 1N and use monopropellant. Four types of engines were evaluated and in the end the choice fell on Fakel's K50-10.5. This, by the way, is the same engine that is carried by Cosmos-2519 (according to data from Fakel).
2 options:- it is not the satellite ("Zvesda")- engine does not work.
Quote from: Alter Sachse on 09/21/2018 01:31 pm2 options:- it is not the satellite ("Zvesda")- engine does not work.A non-functioning engine might explain the very small manoeuvre that I mentioned a few messages ago.
Quote from: Phillip Clark on 09/21/2018 01:40 pmQuote from: Alter Sachse on 09/21/2018 01:31 pm2 options:- it is not the satellite ("Zvesda")- engine does not work.A non-functioning engine might explain the very small manoeuvre that I mentioned a few messages ago.Would seem the most logical answer to me.
Or a decoy?
Quote from: Stan Black on 09/21/2018 09:40 pmOr a decoy?That would be an option !The satellite (stealth) circles higher and we only see a dead fragment.2018 Sep 22:96.61° 90.15min 280 284 km
It is puzzling. Why was the satellite passive for so long ?
Quote from: Alter Sachse on 10/28/2018 04:57 pmIt is puzzling. Why was the satellite passive for so long ?Maybe allowing the satellite's orbit to decay to below SSO: and now we will see periodic manoeuvres to boost it back above the SSO altitude?
On a personal note, my eyesight has declined greatly in recent months and I am having to seriously limit my time on the computer to avoid eye strain and more damage to my remaining sight.
2019 Feb 10 96.54° 90.01 min 272-277 km2019 Feb 11 96.54° 90.07 min 276-280 km2019 Feb 12 96.54° 90.21 min 283-287 km2019 Feb 22 96.54° 90.14 min 280-283 km2019 Feb 26 96.54° 90.20 min 283-285 km2019 Mar 04 96.54° 90.15 min 282-282 kmUp and down
Philip, will you please explain all these maneuver posts?I don’t quite understand them.
Quote from: ZachS09 on 05/02/2019 10:40 pmPhilip, will you please explain all these maneuver posts?I don’t quite understand them.My postings have normally been the pre- and post manoeuvre orbits: for each orbit I list the orbit epoch (date of measurement and time in decimals of a day), the orbital inclination, orbital period, perigee and apogee altitudes and then the argument of perigee (AoP) which is the angle between the ascending node of the orbit and the location of perigee.Does that make sense?Sometimes when the orbit is increased in steps you will have intermediate orbits shown in the same format.
Quote from: Phillip Clark on 05/03/2019 05:52 amQuote from: ZachS09 on 05/02/2019 10:40 pmPhilip, will you please explain all these maneuver posts?I don’t quite understand them.My postings have normally been the pre- and post manoeuvre orbits: for each orbit I list the orbit epoch (date of measurement and time in decimals of a day), the orbital inclination, orbital period, perigee and apogee altitudes and then the argument of perigee (AoP) which is the angle between the ascending node of the orbit and the location of perigee.Does that make sense?Sometimes when the orbit is increased in steps you will have intermediate orbits shown in the same format.It does make sense, but what I was really asking was if there’s a reason for reconnaissance satellites like EMKA to perform these maneuvers.
Quote from: ZachS09 on 05/03/2019 11:20 amQuote from: Phillip Clark on 05/03/2019 05:52 amIt does make sense, but what I was really asking was if there’s a reason for reconnaissance satellites like EMKA to perform these maneuvers.From my POV: Consider it to several degrees a multiple phase test programme ahead of fully pure operational launches. There is a lot of new infrastructure and hardware being tested by the various Kosmos spacecraft in the experimental phase while some data may also suport existing operations.The reason for the manoeuvres has been the counter orbital decay and thus extend the satellite's lifetime. It also means that the orbit was fairly close to the Sun-synchronous one during the manoeuvres.As Bart Hendrickx has pointed out, this is a test-bed for a satellite designated MKA-V, so EMKA/Cosmos 2525 is probably a one-off. Prove the technology and then in the future we will see MKA-V - unless the programme gets cancelled, of course.
Quote from: Phillip Clark on 05/03/2019 05:52 amIt does make sense, but what I was really asking was if there’s a reason for reconnaissance satellites like EMKA to perform these maneuvers.From my POV: Consider it to several degrees a multiple phase test programme ahead of fully pure operational launches. There is a lot of new infrastructure and hardware being tested by the various Kosmos spacecraft in the experimental phase while some data may also suport existing operations.
It does make sense, but what I was really asking was if there’s a reason for reconnaissance satellites like EMKA to perform these maneuvers.
Quote from: russianhalo117 on 05/04/2019 04:53 amQuote from: ZachS09 on 05/03/2019 11:20 amQuote from: Phillip Clark on 05/03/2019 05:52 amIt does make sense, but what I was really asking was if there’s a reason for reconnaissance satellites like EMKA to perform these maneuvers.From my POV: Consider it to several degrees a multiple phase test programme ahead of fully pure operational launches. There is a lot of new infrastructure and hardware being tested by the various Kosmos spacecraft in the experimental phase while some data may also suport existing operations.The reason for the manoeuvres has been the counter orbital decay and thus extend the satellite's lifetime. It also means that the orbit was fairly close to the Sun-synchronous one during the manoeuvres.As Bart Hendrickx has pointed out, this is a test-bed for a satellite designated MKA-V, so EMKA/Cosmos 2525 is probably a one-off. Prove the technology and then in the future we will see MKA-V - unless the programme gets cancelled, of course.I am bit confused by your use of the term ‘one-off’ as wasn’t there a small number of such manoeuvring payloads launched, three in fact?
I am bit confused by your use of the term ‘one-off’ as wasn’t there a small number of such manoeuvring payloads launched, three in fact?
Quote from: Star One on 05/04/2019 09:40 amI am bit confused by your use of the term ‘one-off’ as wasn’t there a small number of such manoeuvring payloads launched, three in fact?Are you confusing Cosmos 2525 with the Cosmos 2519-2521-2523 triplet?
The three satellites launched as Cosmos 2519 are different designs of inspector satellites. Cosmos 2525 is an imaging reconnaissance satellite,
As Bart Hendrickx has pointed out, this is a test-bed for a satellite designated MKA-V, so EMKA/Cosmos 2525 is probably a one-off. Prove the technology and then in the future we will see MKA-V - unless the programme gets cancelled, of course.