Soyuz-2-1A - Bars-M #1 - Plesetsk - February 27, 2015 (11:01 UTC)

[Phillip Clark]

William Graham's extensive article for this launch!
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/02/soyuz-2-1a-launch-bars-m/

--

From what I have read, the new Bars satellite series is intended to be a topographic and mapping satellite, intended to replace the Yantar-1KFT/Kometa, but I do not know much about the satellite beyond that.   Since it will be launched using a Soyuz-2 variant one assumes that Bars will be of a similar mass to Kometa - possibly a bit heavier.

Do we know whether Bars will be a film-return satellite or will it be an electro-optical satellite like Resurs-DK or Resurs-P?   Have any artistic renderings been made available for Bars?   Will it be going to a Sun-synchonous orbit, do we know?

Of course, everything might be "secret" apart from a few very basic details!

[russianhalo117]

From what I have read, the new Bars satellite series is intended to be a topographic and mapping satellite, intended to replace the Yantar-1KFT/Kometa, but I do not know much about the satellite beyond that.   Since it will be launched using a Soyuz-2 variant one assumes that Bars will be of a similar mass to Kometa - possibly a bit heavier.

Do we know whether Bars will be a film-return satellite or will it be an electro-optical satellite like Resurs-DK or Resurs-P?   Have any artistic renderings been made available for Bars?   Will it be going to a Sun-synchonous orbit, do we know?

Of course, everything might be "secret" apart from a few very basic details!

It is my complete understanding that MoD of Russia ordered the flyout of all existing film spacecraft followed by order switching all programs to electro-optical spacecraft to increase the SC's lifespans. I think that I recall the switch is to be complete before/by early 2015 at the latest.

[Phillip Clark]

Thank you, Russianhalo.   At the moment the only Russian film-return photoreconnaissance satellite to be flying is Yantar-4K2M/Kobolt-M: there reportedly only two further flights scheduled - one later this year and then the final one next year.   This is why I wondered whether Bars would be electro-optical.   I would assume that it will be a derivative of the Yantar-4KS1M/Neman platform which has flown as Resurs-DK and next week as the first Resurs-P.

[Stan Black]

Are Bars and Bars-M the same thing?

http://www.izvestia.ru/news/542883
http://www.mcc.rsa.ru/arh_news/1112.htm
http://www.cpnt.ru/userfiles/G_M_Polishuk.pdf

[Stan Black]

This Bars has a long history…

One component was designed in 1989.
http://bd.patent.su/2390000-2390999/pat/servl/servletd322.html

Work was suspended on Bars in 2005. «Пеленг» were working on «Яшма-М».
http://www.sudact.ru/arbitral/doc/uBBfE90yzUdw/

For «Барс-М» its instrument «Карат» comes from ЛОМО.
http://www.lomo.ru/site/about/qreport3-11.rtf

On this presentation there is only Bars-M, but it says Roskosmos?
http://www.cpnt.ru/userfiles/G_M_Polishuk.pdf

The GRAU for Bars is 17Ф112, which comes in sequence before 17Ф113 Orlets-2 long since retired. It looks like the Bars being prepared will have a GRAU starting with 14Ф, its overall being 14К035?
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=24942.msg1066111#msg1066111

Is it possible that this first Bars will have been under construction for ten years? It is worth noting that the last two Dons to fly had serial numbers from 1993, making Kosmos-2399 ten years old and Kosmos-2423 thirteen!

Bars-M is on hold.
http://www.izvestia.ru/news/542883

So Bars and Bars-M are something different? Bars-M is for Roskosmos? Reconstruction is required at «ЦСКБ-Прогресс» before its manufacture.
http://www.samspace.ru/zakupki/3313/
http://www.vkonline.ru/news/123511/20110818/cskbprogress-moderniziruet-proizvodstvo-pod-kosmicheskij-kompleks-barsm.html

[B. Hendrickx]

This Bars has a long history…
.....
Is it possible that this first Bars will have been under construction for ten years?

Bars is mentioned in passing in the third volume of the history of the Military Space Forces (Voenno-kosmicheskiye sily, kniga 3, published in 2001), which covers the period 1992-1997. It is listed together with a series of rockets, upper stages and satellites (Proton-M, Angara, Tsirkon-2, Parus-M, Garpun, Lotos, Taifun, Pion, Briz, Fregat) for which the TsNII-50 military research institute worked out "tactical-technical requirements". The narrative would suggest this was in 1993, although this is not entirely clear. Anyway, it does look like the Bars proposal has been around for quite a while.

[Stan Black]

14Ф148 is Bars-M?

Разработка методики апостериорной оценки лперативности решения задач картографирования изделием 14Ф148 на соответствие требованиям ТТЗ в ходе ЛКИ

http://www.samspace.ru/zakupki/plany_zakupok/

ЛКИ - летно-конструкторские испытания
ТТЗ - тактико-технического задания

17Ф112 was Bars, and abandoned in 2005?

 

[Stan Black]

Entire system is covered under index 14К035, Bars-M satellite component is 14Ф148.

Primary instrument is ОЭК «Карат» (optical-electronic complex Karat), manufactured by Leningrad Optical Mechanical Association (LOMO).

Launch vehicle is Soyuz-2 variant 1A.

Six Bars-M are in various stages of preparation; with the factory able to support the construction of two.

Lifespan is 5 years minimum.

Bars-M has three sections:-
 - модуля целевой аппаратуры (МЦА);
 - модуля служебных систем (МСС);
 - системы подачи импульсов тяг (СВИТ).

Other components include: ОСД 14М234, БОКЗ-М60, БИУС-М 14М243, ФПЗС «Круиз-6».

БИУС - блок измерителей угловой скорости
angular velocity gauge
ОСД - оптический солнечный датчик
optical Sun sensor
ОЭК - оптико-электронный комплекс
optical-electronic complex
ФПЗС - фоточувствительный прибор с зарядовой связью
photosensitive charge couple device

http://www.samspace.ru/zakupki/plany_zakupok/
http://www.freepatent.ru/images/patents/4/2454679/patent-2454679.pdf
http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/pgz/public/action/orders/info/order_document_list_info/show?notificationId=1380404

 

[Phillip Clark]

Thank you for the new information, Stan.

To date i have not seen any indication of what Bars-M will look like.   I am assuming something along the lines of Yantar-4KS1M - Resurs-DK - Resurs-P but with different instrumentation.

[Stan Black]

Пресс-релиз от 15 мая 2012 года15 мая 2012
Завершен первый этап огневых испытаний разработанной «ЦСКБ-Прогресс» двигательной установки (системы выдачи импульсов тяг) для малых спутников.
Система выдачи импульсов тяг (СВИТ) является перспективной двигательной установкой и предназначена для осуществления орбитальных маневров космического аппарата, его ориентации и стабилизации.
СВИТ разработана и изготовлена специалистами «ЦСКБ-Прогресс» на основе блока баков и арматуры собственного изготовления с использованием жидкостных ракетных двигателей разработки НИИ машиностроения и КБхиммаш. Для «ЦСКБ-Прогресс» это первый опыт создания двигательной установки для малых массогабаритных космических аппаратов.
Испытания прошли на испытательной базе КБхиммаш им. А.М. Исаева. Второй этап огневых испытаний СВИТ пройдет в сентябре текущего года, после чего планируется проведение её летных испытаний в составе малого космического аппарата дистанционного зондирования Земли разработки «ЦСКБ-Прогресс».

http://www.samspace.ru/news/press_relizy/467/

[Stan Black]

Thank you for the new information, Stan.

To date i have not seen any indication of what Bars-M will look like.   I am assuming something along the lines of Yantar-4KS1M - Resurs-DK - Resurs-P but with different instrumentation.

КК «Барс-М» состоит из:
Space system “Bars-M” consists of:-
- модуля целевой аппаратуры (МЦА);
- module with imaging system (MTsA);
- модуля служебных систем (МСС);
- module with support systems (MSS);
- системы подачи импульсов тяг (СВИТ).
- thruster system (SVIT).
МЦА представляет собой конструктивно и функционально обособленный модуль, включающий в себя полный набор аппаратуры, составляющей бортовой специальный комплекс (БСК) и предназначенный для решения целевой задачи.
MTsA is a structurally and functionally separate module, which includes a full set of equipment, component board special complex (BSK) and is designed for resolving the target.
В состав МЦА входит оптико-электронный комплекс «Карат» (ОЭК «Карат»), который включает в себя размерно-стабильную несущую платформу (РСНКП), служащую для установки 2-х объективов, 2-х лазерных излучателей, системы контроля визирных объективов, зеркальных отражателей и других элементов и систем.
The composition of MTsA includes opto-electronic complex “Karat” (OEK “Karat”), which includes dimensionally stable carrier platform (RSNKP), used to mount 2× cameras, 2× LASER emitters, devices to focus lenses and other elements and systems.
МСС представляет собой негерметичный отсек, собранный из алюминиевых сотовых панелей. Сотовые панели образуют конструкцию в виде решетки, на сторонах которой размещается бортовая аппаратура, а внутренняя полость отведена для размещения СВИТ.
MCC is an unpressurised compartment, assembled from aluminium honeycomb panels. Honeycomb panels form a lattice structure, to which is located on its sides the on board equipment and the internal cavity is used to accommodate the SVIT.
К торцевой поверхности приборных сотопанелей по всем плоскостям стабилизации крепятся 4 панели радиатора охладителя (РО).
Over the outer surface of each of the instrument honeycombs are mounted fixed 4 panel coolant radiators (PO).
Для обеспечения теплового режима КК поверхности МСС, кроме поверхностей РО, покрываются матами экранно-вакуумной теплоизоляции (ЭВТИ).
For the thermal control of spacecraft surface MCC, except RO, surfaces are covered with blankets for thermal vacuum insulation (EVTI).
СВИТ состоит из:
SVIT consists of:-
• корректирующе-тормозного двигателя (КТД), предназначенного для создания импульсов реактивной тяги, обеспечивающих изменения скорости центра масс изделия при маневрах;
• The correction motor (KTD), designed to create a pulse jet propulsion, providing speed change at the centre of mass for maneuvers;
• 12-ти двигателей для создания импульсов реактивных тяг на расстояниях от центра масс изделия, обеспечивающих ориентацию и стабилизацию изделия относительно центра масс;
• 12 thrusters at distances from the centre of mass of the product, providing orientation and stabilisation of the products with respect to the centre of mass;
• системы хранения и подачи компонентов топлива к двигателям – 2 бака окислителя, 2 бака горючего с датчиками контроля остатков компонентов топлива;
• storage and supply of propellant to the engine components: 2 oxidiser tanks, 2 fuel tanks with sensors to measure fuel levels;
• датчиковой аппаратуры для выдачи информации в систему управления и систему телеметрического контроля;
• sensor equipment to provide information to the control system and telemetry system;
• кабельной сети с платами электрических соединителей для подключения изделия к бортовому комплексу управления;
• cable network boards of electrical connectors for connecting the product to the on-board control;
• трубопроводов.
• pipelines.
Элементы и сборки СВИТ располагаются на изделии в виде конструктивных блоков.
Elements and aggregates of SVIT mounted in the form of building blocks.

http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/epz/order/notice/ok44/view/documents.html?regNumber=0542100000314000001

[Stan Black]

Does it look like the alternate Resurs-P №2?

http://jurnal.vniiem.ru/text/105/5.pdf
http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/messages/forum12/topic9690/message680397/#message680397
http://s001.radikal.ru/i196/1012/b3/82789eeaff85.jpg

[Stan Black]

Found several versions of this, not sure what is the best link.

В космическом аппарате системы 14К035 в состав топлива входит пятьдесят килограммов гептила.

14К035 is the index that covers the entire Bars-M system. Before any new satellite is launched there is an Environment impact assessment. Part of that it was noted that the 14К035 will carry 50 kilogrammes of heptyl, a toxic propellant.
 

[Stan Black]

According to http://ria.ru/space/20141208/1037157935.html the next Dnepr-1 launch with Korea's KOMPSAT-3A will launch on January 22. The 1st launches from Plesetsk of 2015 will be of the 2nd Soyuz-2.1v on February 1 and then a Soyuz-2.1a on February 21 (time to start the payload guessing game I guess  ).

Tender from RKTs-Progress preparing for launch of Bars-M.

1. Проведение отработки входного числового массива CHMVXD для расчета бортового полетного задания PH 14А14 этапа 1а с изделием 14Ф148
Сроки выполнения работ (начало-окончание) 01.11.2013-31.01.2014
Цена этапа (тыс. рублей) 2 579,018
2 Анализ устойчивости и управляемости PH 14А14 этапа 1а с изделием 14Ф148
Сроки выполнения работ (начало-окончание) 01.11.2013-28.02.2014
Цена этапа (тыс. рублей) 1 385,029
3. Проведение расчетов точностных характеристик выведения, вариаций времен выдачи команд и параметров траектории PH 14А14 этапа 1а с изделием 14Ф148
Сроки выполнения работ (начало-окончание) 08.01.2014-30.04.2014
Цена этапа (тыс. рублей) 1 540,163
4. Проведение работ по проверке выполнения СУ задачи пуска PH 14А14 этапа 1а с изделием 14Ф148 с рассчитанными ПЗ на отработочных позициях НПОА
Сроки выполнения работ (начало-окончание) 08.01-2014-30.04.2014
Цена этапа (тыс. рублей) 5 035,375

http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/223/purchase/public/purchase/info/common-info.html?noticeId=1742084

[Stan Black]

February 21 - 'Kosmos' - Soyuz-2-1A - Plesetsk, 43/4

I have confirmation that this Kosmos is first Bars.

[Stan Black]

http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/epz/order/notice/ok44/view/documents.html?regNumber=0542100000314000001

Going over those documents again I came across:-

Габаритные размеры КК «Барс-М» - 4000х2300х2300мм, масса - 4000 кг.
Госзаказом предусмотрено выпуск 2-× изделий в год.

Also I think this is being prepared under contract №К-33-02-07 from 12th October 2007.

[Phillip Clark]

My first thought is that mass of 4,000 kg appears to be very light.   I would have expected something closer to ~6,000 kg for a satellite based upon the Yantar-4KS1(M) design.

[Stan Black]

My first thought is that mass of 4,000 kg appears to be very light.   I would have expected something closer to ~6,000 kg for a satellite based upon the Yantar-4KS1(M) design.

This is based on the SVIT platform not Yantar. The tender is for reconstruction of the factory, so is that the dry mass?

[Phillip Clark]

Thank you for the clarification Stan.   Do you have a link for any details of the SVIT platform please?   Presumably SVIT is an acronym?

[Stan Black]

Thank you for the clarification Stan.   Do you have a link for any details of the SVIT platform please?   Presumably SVIT is an acronym?

Still trying to get my head around this. СВИТ is from Isayev. So is it technically just the propulsion system? Couple of references can be found in this thread.

Also Isayev have been contracted to manufacture a mockup.
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=24942.msg1301307#msg1301307

[Phillip Clark]

Since СВИТ is from Isayev/Khimmash I would expect that it is the propulsion system with the main satellite body being from JCS Progress.

Also Gunter Krebs reports on his web site that "The Bars-M satellites feature an electro-optical camera system called Karat, which is developed and built by the Leningrad Optical Mechanical Association (LOMO).   They are planned to operate for 5 years in orbit."
http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/bars-m.htm

[Stan Black]

Also Gunter Krebs reports on his web site that "The Bars-M satellites feature an electro-optical camera system called Karat, which is developed and built by the Leningrad Optical Mechanical Association (LOMO).   They are planned to operate for 5 years in orbit."
http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/bars-m.htm

Those details are from this thread; and this forum.

[B. Hendrickx]

Based on the links given in this thread, SVIT is a propulsion system for small satellites integrated by TsSKB/Progress in Samara. The propellant tanks and other non-propulsion structural elements are built in-house by TsSKB, but the actual engines are manufactured by KB Khimmash in Korolyov and NIIMash in Nizhnyaya Salda. SVIT has a “correction and braking engine” for orbital manoeuvres and 12 small thrusters for orientation and stabilization. The correction and braking engine is probably produced by KB Khimmash and the thrusters by NIIMash. 

The Khimmash and NIIMash websites are here, but I don’t immediately see any candidate engines for SVIT :
http://kbhmisaeva.ru/
http://www.niimashspace.ru/

According to a press release from TsSKB/Progress on 15 May 2012, a first stage of SVIT test firings had been completed at the test stand of KB Khimmash and a second stage of tests was expected to be conducted in September of that year. Following that, SVIT was to undergo flight tests on a small remote sensing satellite developed by TsSKB/Progress, which we now know is Bars-M.

I get the impression from the various links that Bars-M is a totally new design that has little or no Yantar heritage. With a mass of 4 tons, Bars-M is underweight for the Soyuz-2.1A, but what’s the alternative? It’s too heavy for Soyuz-2.1V  and Rokot.

[B. Hendrickx]

Perhaps the plan is to eventually launch Bars on the Angara 1.2, with has a 3.8 ton LEO capacity.

[russianhalo117]

Only heritage is the engine and thrusters are derrivative of those used on upper stage <<volga>>. Star trackers also from <<volga>> rest of SC seems to be new build.

[Stan Black]

What do you think of the connections between that alternate Resurs-P design and Obzor-R? Both Appear to have four central thrusters instead of the single one on Kobalt derivatives? Would RKTs Progress be introducing yet another spacecraft type for Obzor-R in addition to Bars-M?
http://www.netceng.eu/downloads/meetings/2014-03_kick-off_vgtu/presentations/TsSKB-Progress.pdf

[Stan Black]

There is a diagram of a satellite featuring МЦА and МСС with two cameras; same as Bars-M?
http://www.kulibin.org/storage/documents/20149606f4dbb0a575128c44ba90f148.pptx

http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/messages/forum12/topic9690/message920608/#message920608

[Stan Black]

МСС diagram on page 10.
http://www.ssau.ru/files/resources/dis_protection/Kosmodemyanskii_E_V_Razrabotka_technjlogy.pdf

[Stan Black]

So I think this new platform/bus should be referred to as just MSS?

Разработанный комплекс организационно-методических мероприятий внедрен в ОАО «РКЦ «Прогресс». Результаты работы использовались при создании изделий: КА на базе МСС, КА «Обзор-Р», МКА «Сервал».

[B. Hendrickx]

There is a diagram of a satellite featuring МЦА and МСС with two cameras; same as Bars-M?
http://www.kulibin.org/storage/documents/20149606f4dbb0a575128c44ba90f148.pptx

http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/messages/forum12/topic9690/message920608/#message920608

Apparently not. This is a PowerPoint presentation about the proposed Serval satellites with a mass of up to 500 kg (Bars-M is about 4 tons). They use an electric propulsion system (unlike Bars-M's chemical propulsion system). The version shown on p. 6 does have two cameras built by OAO LOMO in St. Petersburg, but on p. 3 this payload is referred to as "Sonata", whereas the LOMO payload for Bars-M is called "Karat" in one of the documents mentioned in this thread.   

[Stan Black]

There is a diagram of a satellite featuring МЦА and МСС with two cameras; same as Bars-M?
http://www.kulibin.org/storage/documents/20149606f4dbb0a575128c44ba90f148.pptx

http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/messages/forum12/topic9690/message920608/#message920608

Apparently not. This is a PowerPoint presentation about the proposed Serval satellites with a mass of up to 500 kg (Bars-M is about 4 tons). They use an electric propulsion system (unlike Bars-M's chemical propulsion system). The version shown on p. 6 does have two cameras built by OAO LOMO in St. Petersburg, but on p. 3 this payload is referred to as "Sonata", whereas the LOMO payload for Bars-M is called "Karat" in one of the documents mentioned in this thread.   

Look at the next post: all is revealed. There is KA (satellite) and MKA (small satellite Serval) versions; the KA is the one with SVIT.

[B. Hendrickx]

Yes, you’re right. It took me a while to go through the other document.  This is a PhD thesis by a certain Yevgeniy Kosmodemyanskiy, who was involved in the design of three different remote sensing satellites developed by TsSKB between 2008 and 2013 (see p. 126) :

- "a satellite using a bus" (described as the first unpressurized TsSKB satellite, with an "optical-electronic complex" as payload)  (drawings of the service module on p. 10, 37, 116, 134). A drawing on p. 130 appears to show the satellite loaded on board an Ilyushin-76 transport plane.
- Serval (a small satellite using electric propulsion. It went through the "pre-draft plan" phase and "served as the basis for developing design documentation in tenders for small satellites") (drawing on p. 128)
- the Obzor-R radar satellite (drawing on p. 127, 154, 157)

The PhD thesis mainly focuses on the strategies used in the early design of these projects and gives little background on them. However, there is indeed a good possibility that "the satellite using a bus" is Bars-M, mainly because in the drawing on p. 10 the propulsion system is described as SVIT. Excellent detective work, Stan!

Perhaps it is simply called "satellite with a bus" because the name Bars-M is considered classified. Note that in the drawings the solar panels are not shown. The drawing on p. 10 does show attachment points for solar panels on either end of the bus.

To answer your question about the acronym MSS, it stands for  "Modul sluzhebnykh sistem" (literally "module of servicing systems") and is used for satellite buses in general (besides the more commonly used word "platforma"). It should not be considered the name of a specific bus. See this Russian Wikipedia page :

https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Космическая_платформа

[B. Hendrickx]

This patent for a remote sensing satellite may be related to Bars-M :

http://bankpatentov.ru/node/374453

A few clues :
- the patent holders are TsSKB-Progress (the first named author being TsSKB/Progress general designer and first deputy general director Ravil Akhmetov) and the Ministry of Defence
- the overall shape of the bus (MSS) and the location of the propulsion system and solar panels are similar to those shown in Kosmodemyanskiy's PhD thesis  (BTW, the payload section (MTsA) is also shown)
- the bus is unpressurized and covered with radiator panels
- the propulsion system is described as a KDU (usually used for a liquid-fuel propulsion system)
- the dates seem to match (the patent went into effect on 21 May 2012 and was published on 20 September 2013)

The main novelty is the thermal control system, to which most of the text is devoted. 

[Stan Black]

Russian Ministry of Defence have taken TsSKB-Progress to court to claim back money?

Министерство обороны РФ обратилось с иском к Федеральному государственному унитарному предприятию «Государственный научно-производственный ракетно-космический центр ЦСКБ-Прогресс» о взыскании 515 260 000 рублей на основании контракта №К-33-02-07 от 12.10.2007г.

http://docs.pravo.ru/document/view/60645119/68745165/

http://www.chronograf.ru/articles/?num=407&a=14535

[B. Hendrickx]

Russian Ministry of Defence have taken TsSKB-Progress to court to claim back money?

Министерство обороны РФ обратилось с иском к Федеральному государственному унитарному предприятию «Государственный научно-производственный ракетно-космический центр ЦСКБ-Прогресс» о взыскании 515 260 000 рублей на основании контракта №К-33-02-07 от 12.10.2007г.

http://docs.pravo.ru/document/view/60645119/68745165/

http://www.chronograf.ru/articles/?num=407&a=14535

Ministry of Defence demanding 515,260,000 rubles from TsSKB for breach of contract nr. 33-02-07 of 12 Oct 2007 (which in other documents has indeed been identified as the government contract for the development of Bars-M). Case filed with the Samara Court of Arbitration on 7 October last year (in Russia a Court of Arbitration is a court that resolves commercial disputes).

[Stan Black]

In that thesis on page 51 there is a diagram. It shows both 148КС and СВИТ. Is 148КС for Bars-M?

[Stan Black]

Bars-M?

http://lifenews.ru/news/91465
http://lifenews.ru/news/99067

[B. Hendrickx]

In that thesis on page 51 there is a diagram. It shows both 148КС and СВИТ. Is 148КС for Bars-M?

From what I can see, the 148KS designator appears to be related to the transport container for the satellite.

[B. Hendrickx]

Bars-M?

http://lifenews.ru/news/91465
http://lifenews.ru/news/99067

The first report (dated 13 May 2012) says the SVIT engine unit has been successfully tested in Korolyov  (this was also reported by other Russian news outlets at the time) (KB Khimmash/Isayev is situated in Korolyov outside Moscow). It quotes a TsSKB-Progress official as saying that by building the engine unit in-house, TsSKB is now in charge of the entire production cycle. A Roskosmos official is quoted as saying that such a “closed production cycle” will increase quality and, more importantly, will also make it easier to hold the manufacturer accountable for possible technical shortcomings.  The captures under the two pictures do not specifically say they show SVIT.

The second report (dated 9 August 2012) quotes a source within Roskosmos as saying that the space agency is seeking 400 million rubles in damages from TsSKB for not delivering in time two high-priority satellites (but the news was not confirmed officially by Roskosmos, according to the report). One satellite is described as having an optical system  (“Korsha”) with a 1.6 m mirror and a resolution of about 30 cm. The other satellite “remains completely classified”.
 
Roskosmos had placed an order for the two satellites more than two years earlier and they should have been delivered more than a year ago (at the time of writing).

The report quotes another source as saying that the engine units for the satellites had already been tested in Korolyov and that after encountering some problems, TsSKB was now finishing work on the two satellites and that the first should be launched in January-February 2013 and the second between May and September 2013. 

The first satellite must be Persona nr. 2 (eventually launched in June 2013). The Korsha optical system (developed by LOMO) has been linked to Persona and the report also refers to a similar satellite lost in 2008 due to a failure in its electric systems  (the first Persona failed in 2008). 

The second satellite mentioned here may very well be Bars-M (the engine unit tests probably refer only to SVIT, not to the Persona propulsion system). All in all, development of Bars-M seems to have been very troublesome (with the Ministry of Defence recently also claiming back money from TsSKB for breaching the contract).   

Again the captions under the pictures do not say specifically that this is SVIT.  One of the captions simply says that “the engine units for the satellites are still being manufactured”.

[Stan Black]

According to the diagram in the thesis, that round thing next to the four nozzles, would be a telemetry antenna (Антенное устройство телеметрической системы)? In orbit it would be pointing away from the Earth? Connection with Garpun?

[Stan Black]

In the thesis that illustration on page 84 is the Karat?

Also there is a connection with Millimetron telescope.

https://isu.ifmo.ru/pls/apex/f?p=2005:0::DWNLD_F:NO::FILE:6CD3F3CFEF62C9DBF52EA6645D16FB6B
https://isu.ifmo.ru/pls/apex/f?p=2005:0::DWNLD_F:NO::FILE:0F4F778E61D44558C6F448A9CD313B08

[B. Hendrickx]

In the thesis that illustration on page 84 is the Karat?

Also there is a connection with Millimetron telescope.

https://isu.ifmo.ru/pls/apex/f?p=2005:0::DWNLD_F:NO::FILE:6CD3F3CFEF62C9DBF52EA6645D16FB6B
https://isu.ifmo.ru/pls/apex/f?p=2005:0::DWNLD_F:NO::FILE:0F4F778E61D44558C6F448A9CD313B08

This is from another PhD dissertation. Karat and the Millimetron optical system are presented as two examples of modern optical-electronic systems for satellites, but there doesn't appear to be any commonality between them, apart from the use of "off-axis optical elements".  The thesis has a description of Karat's triplet objective, which is called "Kuka". 

[Artyom.]

According to NK forum, the first Bars satellite was shipped off to the Plesetsk and the launch is scheduled for late February.

[Stan Black]

According to NK forum, the first Bars satellite was shipped off to the Plesetsk and the launch is scheduled for late February.

Tenders issued for insurance to cover transportation of 14Ф148 №1 and fairing 14С744 to launch site.
http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/223/purchase/public/purchase/info/common-info.html?noticeId=1988887
http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/223/purchase/public/purchase/info/common-info.html?noticeId=1989037

The value insured for 14Ф148 is 1,923,390,000 Russian ruble and 113,080,000 Russian ruble for the fairing.

[Nicolas PILLET]

Satellite was delivered to Plesetsk.

http://structure.mil.ru/structure/forces/cosmic/news/more.htm?id=12006907@egNews

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Are there any hints that this thing is going up on the last known date of Feb. 21? A cursory search for airspace closures on the possible drop zones yields nothing... 

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Are there any hints that this thing is going up on the last known date of Feb. 21? A cursory search for airspace closures on the possible drop zones yields nothing... 

Still nothing found as of a few hours ago so I believe that the last known date is no longer true. Let's see if official press releases or new air-space closures will come first, whenever that happen.... 

[russianhalo117]

Are there any hints that this thing is going up on the last known date of Feb. 21? A cursory search for airspace closures on the possible drop zones yields nothing... 

Still nothing found as of a few hours ago so I believe that the last known date is no longer true. Let's see if official press releases or new air-space closures will come first, whenever that happen.... 

launcher is already assembled. as this is a delayable mission could see it again at end of February or same time in March

[Nicolas PILLET]

Launch is scheduled for 28th February 2015.

http://www.kosmonavtika.com/lancements/2015/2015.html

[ostangen]

Prob NOTAMs for this launch.

G0524/15 - TEMPO DANGER AREA ACT WI COORD: 705600N 0320458E-701000N 0334000E-695400N 0324000E- 700800N 0320458E-705600N 0320458E-705600N 0320458E. SFC - UNL, 27 28 1100-1130, 27 FEB 11:00 2015 UNTIL 28 FEB 11:30 2015. CREATED: 23 FEB 07:54 2015 


G0523/15 - TEMPO DANGER AREA ACT WI COORD: 661000N 0371000E-660000N 0382000E-653000N 0383000E- 653000N 0373000E-661000N 0371000E-661000N 0371000E. SFC - UNL, 27 28 1100-1130, 27 FEB 11:00 2015 UNTIL 28 FEB 11:30 2015. CREATED: 23 FEB 07:38 2015

[input~2]

Prob NOTAMs for this launch.

G0524/15 - TEMPO DANGER AREA ACT WI COORD: 705600N 0320458E-701000N 0334000E-695400N 0324000E- 700800N 0320458E-705600N 0320458E-705600N 0320458E. SFC - UNL, 27 28 1100-1130, 27 FEB 11:00 2015 UNTIL 28 FEB 11:30 2015. CREATED: 23 FEB 07:54 2015 


G0523/15 - TEMPO DANGER AREA ACT WI COORD: 661000N 0371000E-660000N 0382000E-653000N 0383000E- 653000N 0373000E-661000N 0371000E-661000N 0371000E. SFC - UNL, 27 28 1100-1130, 27 FEB 11:00 2015 UNTIL 28 FEB 11:30 2015. CREATED: 23 FEB 07:38 2015

Yes looks like it and also this one

G0520/15 - FLW ATS RTE SEGMENTS CLSD: A222 KUMEL - LAGAT, B488 KROTA - LIMUS, B815 EVMUV - LIMUS, B816 ATKUP - LIMUS, G476 AKATI - KROTA. SFC - UNL, 27 28 1100-1130, 27 FEB 11:00 2015 UNTIL 28 FEB 11:30 2015. CREATED: 23 FEB 07:33 2015

So launch could happen from February 27 at 1105UTC

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Hmm what's the launch azimuth? This looks like at least a 100 degree inclination orbit.....

[Stan Black]

Hmm what's the launch azimuth? This looks like at least a 100 degree inclination orbit.....

How does it compare to Persona?
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=30879.msg1060643#msg1060643

[input~2]

Yes Stan , I was just about to post the same link

[Phillip Clark]

If the satellite is going to a true Sun-synchronous orbit then the launch azimuth and thus the orbital inclination will be a function of the planned orbital altitude.   To maintain the 0.9856 deg/day precession rate the orbital altitude increases with the orbital inclination.

[input~2]

If the satellite is going to a true Sun-synchronous orbit then the launch azimuth and thus the orbital inclination will be a function of the planned orbital altitude.   To maintain the 0.9856 deg/day precession rate the orbital altitude increases with the orbital inclination.

0.9856= 360/ 365.25

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Official info about this launch: State commission will meet today to approve the Feb. 27 launch date. Roll-out to the launch pad will happen tomorrow.

http://ria.ru/space/20150224/1049325856.html
http://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/1787368

[Artyom.]

Soyuz-2-1A was rolled out to the launch pad.

http://tass.ru/kosmos/1790859 (in Russian)

[Phillip Clark]

Assuming that the launch is successful I assume that this will become Cosmos 2504 (unless the Russians want to confuse us some more with Cosmos numbers!).

[Phillip Clark]

Anatoly Zak posted this on Facebook:

http://sen.com/news/russia-to-launch-its-first-digital-mapping-satellite

[mtakala24]

Nice view of Finland on that map. It won't make the news, though. Night launches from Plesetsk usually do, as people report the strange bright lights to various newspapers.

[Stan Black]

After the launch of Persona debris washed up on the shores of Norway. Keep a look out.
http://www.tv2.no/a/4082313

[Artyom.]

Photos:

[Galactic Penguin SST]

From the photos it can be seen the Soyuz rocket's serial # is 77046243.

[Stan Black]

From the photos it can be seen the Soyuz rocket's serial # is 77046243.

I can only see it on the fairing. Can anyone confirm they are the same?

[Satori]

From the photos it can be seen the Soyuz rocket's serial # is 77046243.

I can only see it on the fairing. Can anyone confirm they are the same?

Yes, the numbers are the same.

[Phillip Clark]

Looking forward to the fully-detailed cutaway diagram of the satellite.

[Chris Bergin]

Dare I ask if this will be webcast?

[Phillip Clark]

Dare I ask if this will be webcast?

Yes Chris, and a full press kit will be issued online.    Shall I stop taking the pills now?

[Chris Bergin]

Dare I ask if this will be webcast?

Yes Chris, and a full press kit will be issued online.    Shall I stop taking the pills now?

Heh.



Well we at least have a great article from William Graham to go on shortly!

[Chris Bergin]

Here's William Graham's extensive article for this launch!
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/02/soyuz-2-1a-launch-bars-m/

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Rocket rolling out of the barn 2 days ago:

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Rocket rolling out of the barn 2 days ago:

Even longer version: 

[Lanista]

МОСКВА, 27 фев — РИА Новости. Ракета-носитель среднего класса "Союз-2.1а" со спутником военного назначения в пятницу стартовала с космодрома "Плесецк" в Архангельской области, сообщил РИА Новости в пятницу представитель пресс-службы Минобороны РФ полковник Алексей Золотухин.

Это первый пуск ракеты космического назначения, проведенный войсками ВКО в 2015 году с космодрома "Плесецк". Предыдущий пуск с северного космодрома был проведен 25 декабря 2014 года, а последний запуск "Союза-2.1а" с "Плесецка" состоялся 30 октября.

"В пятницу, 27 февраля 2015 года, в 14.01 мск с пусковой установки № 4 площадки № 43 Государственного испытательного космодрома Плесецк боевым расчетом войск воздушно-космической обороны проведен успешный пуск ракеты космического назначения среднего класса "Союз-2.1а" с космическим аппаратом в интересах министерства обороны Российской Федерации", — сказал Золотухин.

Пуск проведен под общим руководством командующего Войсками воздушно-космической обороны генерал-лейтенанта Александра Головко.

Старт ракеты-носителя прошел в штатном режиме. В 14.03 мск ракету "Союз-2.1а" примут на сопровождение средства наземного автоматизированного комплекса управления Войск ВКО. Отделение космического аппарата от третьей ступени ракеты планируется в 14.11 мск в зоне радиовидимости средств наземного автоматизированного комплекса управления Космического командования ВВКО.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

МОСКВА, 27 фев — РИА Новости. Ракета-носитель среднего класса "Союз-2.1а" со спутником военного назначения в пятницу стартовала с космодрома "Плесецк" в Архангельской области, сообщил РИА Новости в пятницу представитель пресс-службы Минобороны РФ полковник Алексей Золотухин.

Это первый пуск ракеты космического назначения, проведенный войсками ВКО в 2015 году с космодрома "Плесецк". Предыдущий пуск с северного космодрома был проведен 25 декабря 2014 года, а последний запуск "Союза-2.1а" с "Плесецка" состоялся 30 октября.

"В пятницу, 27 февраля 2015 года, в 14.01 мск с пусковой установки № 4 площадки № 43 Государственного испытательного космодрома Плесецк боевым расчетом войск воздушно-космической обороны проведен успешный пуск ракеты космического назначения среднего класса "Союз-2.1а" с космическим аппаратом в интересах министерства обороны Российской Федерации", — сказал Золотухин.

Пуск проведен под общим руководством командующего Войсками воздушно-космической обороны генерал-лейтенанта Александра Головко.

Старт ракеты-носителя прошел в штатном режиме. В 14.03 мск ракету "Союз-2.1а" примут на сопровождение средства наземного автоматизированного комплекса управления Войск ВКО. Отделение космического аппарата от третьей ступени ракеты планируется в 14.11 мск в зоне радиовидимости средств наземного автоматизированного комплекса управления Космического командования ВВКО.

Liftoff at 11:01 UTC!

[Lanista]

МОСКВА, 27 фев — РИА Новости. Войска Воздушно-космической обороны приняли на сопровождение стартовавшую с космодрома "Плесецк" ракету-носитель среднего класса "Союз-2.1а", сообщил РИА Новости в пятницу представитель пресс-службы Минобороны РФ по войскам ВКО полковник Алексей Золотухин.

Старт ракеты со спутником военного назначения прошел штатно в 14.01 мск. Это первый пуск ракеты космического назначения, проведенный войсками ВКО в 2015 году с космодрома "Плесецк".

"В 14.03 мск ракета-носитель "Союз-2.1а" взята на сопровождение средствами наземного автоматизированного комплекса управления войск ВКО", — сказал Золотухин.

РИА Новости http://ria.ru/science/20150227/1049983834.html#ixzz3SwWTquLD

[Liss]

Col. Zolotukhin confirmed separation for news agencies.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Col. Zolotukhin confirmed separation for news agencsies.

http://ria.ru/defense_safety/20150227/1049989172.html

[Chris Bergin]

Hopefully photos (noticing the ones in the articles so far aren't of this launch).

[amez]

http://goo.gl/Ktsehu
Photo Гинтарас Шлекта - Gintaras Shlekta http://goo.gl/3JNLLv
Who can "calculate" the flight number? May be from Asia to Western Europe? ~ 11:02 UT

[Galactic Penguin SST]

First object from this launch (40420/2015-009A) recorded in 328 x 540 km x 97.64 deg. orbit.

[Phillip Clark]

First object from this launch (40420/2015-009A) recorded in 328 x 540 km x 97.64 deg. orbit.

If the Blok I is in a similar orbit, that has to be one of the highest perigees used by a Soyuz-class launch vehicle.

[Artyom.]

(unless the Russians want to confuse us some more with Cosmos numbers!)

После выведения на орбиту космическому аппарату присвоен порядковый номер «Космос-2503», - сказал Золотухин.

http://vz.ru/news/2015/2/27/731872.html

[Galactic Penguin SST]

First object from this launch (40420/2015-009A) recorded in 328 x 540 km x 97.64 deg. orbit.

Another one (40421/2015-009B) is in a 328 x 537 km x 97.64 deg. orbit.

First object from this launch (40420/2015-009A) recorded in 328 x 540 km x 97.64 deg. orbit.

If the Blok I is in a similar orbit, that has to be one of the highest perigees used by a Soyuz-class launch vehicle.

I think the one used for Egyptsat 2 is even higher. Of course, there are many Block-Es (for Meteor launches etc.) that are in even higher orbits.... 

[jcm]

(unless the Russians want to confuse us some more with Cosmos numbers!)

После выведения на орбиту космическому аппарату присвоен порядковый номер «Космос-2503», - сказал Золотухин.

http://vz.ru/news/2015/2/27/731872.html

Interesting. All the other Russian articles so far just say  "military satellite". Zolotukhin is the press officer of the VVKO
so I guess he knows what he is talking about - oh wait, <remembers some NASA press officials he's dealt with>... hmm,
anyone want to take bets on how soon it is before this number changes?

And if this is 2503, what is Lotos-S?

[Phillip Clark]

Jonathan - 2502?

[Artyom.]

Video of the launch:

[Artyom.]

And photos of the launch:

[Satori]

Bars-M is Kosmos-2503. Kosmos-2501 is Luch again.

[aga]

and 2502 is lotos? or glonass/uragan?

[Satori]

and 2502 is lotos? or glonass/uragan?

Kosmos-2501 is GLONASS-K1 n.º 12L and Kosmos-2502 is Lotos.

[Nicolas PILLET]

http://tvzvezda.ru/news/vstrane_i_mire/content/201502271426-wllx.htm

[Galactic Penguin SST]

[Phillip Clark]

If Cosmos 2503 is to enter a Sun-synchronous orbit then the inclination of 97.64 deg means that the average altitude should be about 562 km.   For a near-circular orbit the eccentricity this does not affect the altitude.

No manoeuvres detected from the TLEs after nearly two days in orbit.

[Phillip Clark]

On March 1 and March 2 there were manoeuvres which raised perigee from 328 km to 332 km and then 338 km.   Then late on March 3 there was a manoeuvre near apogee which converted the apogee of 540 km to the new perigee, with the satellite now being in a 541-562 km orbit.   

It is likely that there will be another manoeuvre to circularise the orbit at 561-562 km, the Sun-synch altitude.   The is close to being a 15 circuit repeating orbit..

[Phillip Clark]

Further tweaks to the orbit and the most recent data are: incl - 97.63 deg, period - 95.79 min, 551-563 km altitude.

[Stan Black]

Details on its propulsion system:-

В рамках ОКР 14К035 разработан четырехкамерный корректирующее-тормозной двигатель МВСК83. В настоящее время проводятся работы в обеспечение поставки этого двигателя для комплексных и летных испытаний в составе изделий АО РКЦ «Прогресс» (рисунок 12).

http://www.niimashspace.ru/files/доклады/2015/6-11sentyabrya2015.pdf

[Stan Black]

Details on its propulsion system:-

В рамках ОКР 14К035 разработан четырехкамерный корректирующее-тормозной двигатель МВСК83. В настоящее время проводятся работы в обеспечение поставки этого двигателя для комплексных и летных испытаний в составе изделий АО РКЦ «Прогресс» (рисунок 12).

http://www.niimashspace.ru/files/доклады/2015/6-11sentyabrya2015.pdf

Четырёхкамерный двигатель на основе четырех ЖРДМТ 11Д428А-24, объединенных в общую систему подачи компонентов топлива и жестко закрепленных на кронштейне

http://www.niimashspace.ru/files/2016/Raket_dvig_maloy_tyagi.pdf

[Danderman]

I believe that this is the patent for the SVIT propulsion system:

http://www.findpatent.ru/patent/256/2560645.html