Author Topic: Molniya-M launch - October 23, 2007 (Read 8888 times)

anik · « **on:** 10/21/2007 02:44 pm »

Molniya-M rocket with 2BL upper stage and Kosmos (Oko) satellite will be launched from Plesetsk cosmodrome by day on October 23th...

William Graham · « **Reply #1 on:** 10/21/2007 06:10 pm »

According to information that I have collected, this is the last flight of the Molniya-M/2BL, and, I believe, the last Oko spacecraft launch.
After this, only two Molniyas will remain, both M/ML configurations, and both scheduled to launch Molniya spacecraft next year.

My information if from inferred sources, so if it is inaccurate, please let me know.

anik · « **Reply #2 on:** 10/21/2007 06:47 pm »

There will not be launches of Molniya satellites more in future... These satellites are not produced already for a long time... The last launch (failure) of Molniya (Molniya-3K No. 12L) satellite was on June 21st, 2005... Meridian satellites performs functions of these satellites now...

William Graham · « **Reply #3 on:** 10/21/2007 08:57 pm »

Quote

anik - 21/10/2007 7:47 PM

There will not be launches of Molniya satellites more in future... These satellites are not produced already for a long time... The last launch (failure) of Molniya (Molniya-3K No. 12L) satellite was on June 21st, 2005... Meridian satellites performs functions of these satellites now...

So what will Russia do with the two remaining Molniya rockets? Gunter's launch schedule has them slated to launch Molniya spacecraft.

Watchdog · « **Reply #4 on:** 10/21/2007 10:22 pm »

Shortly after the last Molniya 3K launch failure there was an official announcement from a governmental source saying that "a replacement satellite will be built and launched within a year".

August 2007 passed, but a new Molniya 3 satellite was not launched. I wonder why they developed an upgrade to the Molniya 3 series, but only produced a few Molniya 3K satellites.

However, it seems that at least the Molniya 1T series was terminated in favour of the novel Meridian satellite. Usually, the Russian military keeps one or two satellites of the outdated type in reserve in case the new design does not work properly and has to be improved.

I am almost sure that this is also the case with Molniya 3K. But for financial reasons they could have decided not to launch them or only to launch them in case of a premature breakdown of one of the orbiting satellites.

I assume that a second Meridian completing a minimal constellation of two spacecraft will only take place after the careful examination of the engineering features of the prototype spacecraft.

William Graham · « **Reply #5 on:** 10/21/2007 11:18 pm »

So are we saying that this launch will mark the retirement of the Molniya carrier rocket?

sammie · « **Reply #6 on:** 10/21/2007 11:47 pm »

Conditional, if the current system needs a speedy replacement, or the Meridian system isn't working as it was supposed to, then you might see another launch. But if things run their normal coarse, the Oko and Molniya satellites will be withdrawn from service, and their replacements don't need a dedicated LV.

William Graham · « **Reply #7 on:** 10/22/2007 09:32 am »

Any news on time of launch?

anik · « **Reply #8 on:** 10/22/2007 02:32 pm »

Quote

Watchdog - 22/10/2007 2:22 AM

Shortly after the last Molniya 3K launch failure there was an official announcement from a governmental source saying that "a replacement satellite will be built and launched within a year"

The source meaned Meridian...

Quote

Watchdog - 22/10/2007 2:22 AM

I am almost sure that this is also the case with Molniya 3K. But for financial reasons they could have decided not to launch them or only to launch them in case of a premature breakdown of one of the orbiting satellites

There are no spare Molniya satellites more...

Quote

GW_Simulations - 22/10/2007 1:32 PM

Any news on time of launch?

04:39 UTC...

Tobi · « **Reply #9 on:** 10/23/2007 05:58 am »

According to www.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru the launch seems to have been successful and Kosmos 2430 satellite was put into orbit

William Graham · « **Reply #10 on:** 10/23/2007 10:03 am »

Successful launch confirmed:
http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=11994797&PageNum=0

sammie · « **Reply #11 on:** 10/23/2007 07:11 pm »

Pavel's report on the launch:
http://russianforces.org/blog/2007/10/launch_of_cosmos2430_earlywarn.shtml

Nicolas PILLET · « **Reply #12 on:** 10/23/2007 07:40 pm »

Article and pictures :

http://www.kosmonavtika.com/lancements/2007/23102007/23102007.html

Satori · « **Reply #13 on:** 10/23/2007 08:48 pm »

Thank you very much for that Nicolas!!!!

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #14 on:** 01/10/2019 05:34 pm »

Bump for Kosmos 2430 reentry:

Quote

Russia’s Aerospace Force Command revealed that the Russian Kosmos-2430 military satellite was deorbited Jan. 5, then burned up over the Atlantic Ocean. The satellite was excluded from the orbital grouping in 2012.

https://www.satellitetoday.com/government-military/2019/01/10/russia-decommissions-and-deorbits-military-satellite/

Rondaz · « **Reply #15 on:** 12/10/2022 01:53 pm »

Obj. 32271 COSMOS 2430 SL-6 R/B(2) decay prediction: December 15, 2022 UTC 16h40mn ± 40h

https://twitter.com/jremis/status/1601554366212603904

Rondaz · « **Reply #16 on:** 12/13/2022 12:28 am »

Update: obj. 32271 COSMOS 2430 SL-6 R/B(2) decay prediction: December 14, 2022 UTC 18h29mn ± 21h

https://twitter.com/jremis/status/1602403150996115464

Rondaz · « **Reply #17 on:** 12/13/2022 10:02 am »

Update: obj. 32271 COSMOS 2430 SL-6 R/B(2) decay prediction: December 15, 2022 UTC 16h04mn ± 15h

https://twitter.com/jremis/status/1602590872306057216

Rondaz · « **Reply #18 on:** 12/13/2022 10:03 am »

New reentry in the front slot that we're in the window for now: An SL-6 rocket stage (COSPAR 2007-049D, from the Kosmos-2430 launch) set for December 10th at 1:53 UT ± 5 hours..

https://twitter.com/Astroguyz/status/1601329872432930816

Rondaz · « **Reply #19 on:** 12/13/2022 10:03 am »

Update: obj. 32271 COSMOS 2430 SL-6 R/B(2) decay prediction: December 14, 2022 UTC 01h48mn ± 6h
Very difficult prediction due to quite inconsistent TLEs.

https://twitter.com/jremis/status/1602606607325593600