Author Topic: Soyuz-2.1b - Pion-NKS №1 - Plesetsk 43/4 - 25 June 2021 - 19:50 UTC (Read 23509 times)

Nicolas PILLET · « **Reply #40 on:** 06/29/2021 07:39 pm »

According to KB Arsenal data, Lotos has a mass of 7030 kg and Pion-NKS has a mass of 7231 kg. It can explain the lower orbit, because the Soyuz-2.1b launcher must be used at his extreme limit.

Alter Sachse · « **Reply #41 on:** 06/30/2021 06:16 pm »

Quote from: Alter Sachse on 06/29/2021 01:27 pm

Jun 29:
67.13° 93.68 min 447x462 km

67.14° 93.91 min 462x469 km

Alter Sachse · « **Reply #42 on:** 07/16/2021 05:16 pm »

Quote from: Alter Sachse on 06/30/2021 06:16 pm

Quote from: Alter Sachse on 06/29/2021 01:27 pm
Jun 29:
67.13° 93.68 min 447x462 km
67.14° 93.91 min 462x469 km

67.14° 93.89 min 459x470 km

B. Hendrickx · « **Reply #43 on:** 08/03/2021 09:45 pm »

A drawing of Pion showing the satellite shortly after orbit insertion with all of its appendages still folded. This was published in a booklet on the 75th anniversary of KB Arsenal that was available on the company's website for a couple of days and then taken offline. Which makes you wonder why they put it online in the first place.

B. Hendrickx · « **Reply #44 on:** 11/10/2022 01:16 pm »

https://tass.ru/kosmos/16286365

Quoting a space industry source, TASS reported today that Pion-NKS has been officially declared operational following in-orbit tests that received high praise from both the Ministry of Defense and the Russian Navy. The report says that the full Liana constellation, consisting of four Lotos-S1 and two Pion-NKS satellites, should be deployed "in the near future". However, it adds that the production of the second Pion satellite is only "being discussed", suggesting that no final decision has yet been made to construct it. Given the long production times seen in the Russian space industry these days, it is unlikely it will be ready before the first Pion is taken out of service. The first Pion itself was launched after many years of delays.