Author Topic: Soyuz-2.1a - Kosmos 2556 (Bars-M №3) - Plesetsk 43/4 - May 19, 2022 (08:03UTC) (Read 19450 times)

zubenelgenubi · « **on:** 06/18/2018 09:51 pm »

Apparently, the next Bars-M launch, the third, could be the next Soyuz launch from Plesetsk.

And, it could be the next orbital launch from Plesetsk.

It could also be the next launch receiving a "Kosmos" designation.

If it's OK with all concerned, I have started a launch thread here.

Quote from: Satori on 06/06/2018 07:10 pm

Planned Russian space launches
(suborbital launches are not included!)

2018
Date Time (UTC) – Satellite(s) – Rocket/Upper stage – Cosmodrome

July - Bars-M n.º 3 - Soyuz-2-1a - Plesetsk, 43/4

EDIT 7/5/2018
EDIT 7/27/2018

Satori · « **Reply #1 on:** 07/20/2018 04:23 pm »

Bumping this one for a possible launch this month.

Any news?

B. Hendrickx · « **Reply #2 on:** 07/20/2018 10:47 pm »

Quote from: Satori on 07/20/2018 04:23 pm

Bumping this one for a possible launch this month.

Any news?

http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/forum14/topic16307/?PAGEN_1=15

The list of planned launches on the NK forum still gives the launch date as July 2018, but adds "or 2019". A link is given to this article published on 27 June in "Kommersant" :

https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/3669552

However, this only says that four more Bars-M satellites are expected to be launched, the last one "no later than 2022".

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #3 on:** 09/04/2018 08:33 pm »

Cross-posts:

Quote from: Satori on 08/21/2018 01:24 pm

Planned Russian space launches
(suborbital launches are not included!)

2018
Date Time (UTC) – Satellite(s) – Rocket/Upper stage – Cosmodrome

NET September - Bars-M n.º 3 - Soyuz-2-1a - Plesetsk, 43/4

Changes on September 1

***

And, here's a thought that could apply to this launch:

Quote from: Nicolas PILLET on 08/31/2018 07:57 pm

I wonder if there will be a space launch during the big military exercise Russia will be doing on 11-15th September.

During 1982 exercise, there were three launches. And there was one in February 2004...

EDIT 9/25: no Russian orbital launches during the exercise.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #4 on:** 10/25/2018 05:59 am »

Cross-post; slipped to 2019:

Quote from: Satori on 10/14/2018 08:04 pm

Planned Russian space launches
(suborbital launches are not included!)

2019
Date – Satellite(s) – Rocket/Upper stage – Cosmodrome – Time

TBD - Bars-M n.º 3 - Soyuz-2-1a - Plesetsk, 43/4

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #5 on:** 06/05/2019 04:57 pm »

Cross-post:

Quote from: Salo on 06/05/2019 08:28 am

https://twitter.com/anik1982space/status/1135835206542401537
Google translate:
Quote
anik @ anik1982space 23 hours ago
The new Russian military satellite map "Bars-M" is planned to be created until December 2019, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday. “(Question) concerns the technological re-equipment of the orbital grouping of military spacecraft. 1/2

anik @ anik1982space 23 hours ago
In particular, the manufacture of the Bars-M observation and mapping satellite, which is being developed by the Progress Rocket and Space Center ... The Supreme Commander assigned the task to complete the creation of this device by December 1 of this year, "Shoigu said. 2/2

Even if the satellite's manufacture is completed by December 1, 2019, then doesn't that push launch into 2020?

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #6 on:** 05/10/2020 03:59 pm »

Brief discussion of the next Soyuz-2 launch from Plesetsk here that includes mention of an impending LV shipment to Plesetsk; this could be for the third Bars-M satellite.

Possibility mentioned again in this cross-post:

Quote from: Olaf on 05/10/2020 02:37 pm

https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1259407869688102914

***

If this is the next, successful launch of a Kosmos-designated satellite, then it should be Kosmos 2546.

B. Hendrickx · « **Reply #7 on:** 05/10/2020 08:02 pm »

The RIA report referred to by Katya Pavlushchenko only says that according to the news agency's sources the next Russian space launch will take place in the second half of the month. I'm not sure why she thinks the payload is Bars-M nr. 3. There are many Russian military launches that are long overdue. One that seems to have come close to launch last year, but didn't fly is Neitron. Several other possible candidates as well.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #8 on:** 05/10/2020 09:35 pm »

Barring a direct announcement of the identity of the payload, our next clue should be launch NOTAMs and/or NOTMARs?

Alter Sachse · « **Reply #9 on:** 05/11/2020 12:09 pm »

Quote from: B. Hendrickx on 05/10/2020 08:02 pm

The RIA report referred to by Katya Pavlushchenko only says that according to the news agency's sources the next Russian space launch will take place in the second half of the month. I'm not sure why she thinks the payload is Bars-M nr. 3. There are many Russian military launches that are long overdue. One that seems to have come close to launch last year, but didn't fly is Neitron. Several other possible candidates as well.

NK forum also writes Bars #3.
Maybe they have insider information ?

B. Hendrickx · « **Reply #10 on:** 05/11/2020 12:45 pm »

Quote from: Alter Sachse on 05/11/2020 12:09 pm

Quote from: B. Hendrickx on 05/10/2020 08:02 pm
The RIA report referred to by Katya Pavlushchenko only says that according to the news agency's sources the next Russian space launch will take place in the second half of the month. I'm not sure why she thinks the payload is Bars-M nr. 3. There are many Russian military launches that are long overdue. One that seems to have come close to launch last year, but didn't fly is Neitron. Several other possible candidates as well.
NK forum also writes Bars #3.
Maybe they have insider information ?

Could be, although the source given for that information is a June 2018 article in the "Kommersant" newspaper which said that the full constellation of Bars satellites (six satellites in all) was expected to be in orbit by 2022. That in itself is not enough to conclude that the payload for the upcoming launch will indeed be Bars-M nr. 3.

Alter Sachse · « **Reply #11 on:** 05/12/2020 01:57 pm »

Launch is scheduled for the 22nd. There will be no Bars, the path goes to the east.

http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/messages/forum12/topic17958/message1985347/#message1985347

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #12 on:** 05/12/2020 03:30 pm »

New launch thread is here.

If we learn that the payload is one that has a previously existing launch thread, it will be merged to that thread.

EDIT May 13: New thread is labelled for the fourth EKS/Tundra/Kupol satellite.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #13 on:** 09/08/2021 07:07 pm »

Russian MoD suing RKTs Progress regarding non-delivery of Bars-M spacecraft. Bars-M #3 was originally to have been delivered in 2017.

Vahe231991 · « **Reply #14 on:** 09/10/2021 12:55 am »

The NextSpaceflight website now lists the Bars-M #3 launch as being scheduled for NET January 2022.

B. Hendrickx · « **Reply #15 on:** 09/10/2021 10:14 am »

Quote from: Vahe231991 on 09/10/2021 12:55 am

The NextSpaceflight website now lists the Bars-M #3 launch as being scheduled for NET January 2022.

This website is sometimes quoted here for launch dates of Russian military satellites, but it is highly unlikely that the people who run it have any inside knowledge of the Plesetsk launch schedule.

Closer to Space · « **Reply #16 on:** 09/10/2021 11:31 am »

Quote from: B. Hendrickx on 09/10/2021 10:14 am

This website is sometimes quoted here for launch dates of Russian military satellites, but it is highly unlikely that the people who run it have any inside knowledge of the Plesetsk launch schedule.

Indeed, these dates are, as they indicate, NET (Not Earlier Than), which only indicate that the launch will not happen before January 2022. We don't have (unfortunately...) any contacts in Plesetsk who could give us a precise date, and I honestly don't think they have one for the moment...

B. Hendrickx · « **Reply #17 on:** 04/19/2022 09:25 pm »

A post by a usually reliable inside source on the NK forum suggests that the launch of the third Bars-M military topographic mapping satellite is imminent. This is the first of a batch of four Bars-M satellites ordered by the Ministry of Defense in 2014. Its launch has slipped numerous times. Indications are that the first two Bars-M satellites (Kosmos-2503 and 2515, launched in 2015 and 2016) are no longer operational.

zubenelgenubi · « **Reply #18 on:** 04/19/2022 10:58 pm »

I merged the the threads and added "April/May 2022" to the thread title. We don't know how imminent "imminent" is.

Is there any particular technology aboard that has delayed this launch for so long? The effect of the 2014 and forward sanctions?

Or is it primarily a question of priorities for the Ministry of Defense?

Edit May 1: Not yet. Thread title edited.

The Kosmos 2555 launch on Angara-1.2 from Plesetsk did proceed on April 29.

B. Hendrickx · « **Reply #19 on:** 05/11/2022 06:15 pm »

NOTAMs have appeared for a space launch by the Russian Aerospace Forces between May 19 and May 22 with a daily window from 7.30 to 10.00 UTC.

Quote

Quote
A3074/22 NOTAMN
Q) ENOB/QRDCA/IV/BO /W /000/999/7033N03203E024
A) ENOB B) 2205190730 C) 2205221000
D) DAILY 0730-1000
E) THE RUSSIAN AEROSPACE FORCES PLANS TO LAUNCH MISSILE IN THE SPACE
AND TO SINK ITS FRAGMENTES IN THE WATERS OF THE BASIN OF BARETNTS
SEA. TEMPO DANGER AREA ESTABLISHED 'RUSSIAN MISSILE MAY22 AREA 1'
PSN: 705600N 0320458E - 701000N 0320458E - 700928N 0320152E -
701500N 0315000E - 703007N 0315000E - 703622N 0314318E - (705600N
0320458E)
F) SFC G) UNL
CREATED: 11 May 2022 06:50:00
SOURCE: EUECYIYN

A3075/22 NOTAMN
Q) ENOB/QRDCA/IV/BO /W /000/999/7540N02149E051
A) ENOB B) 2205190730 C) 2205221000
D) DAILY 0730-1000
E) THE RUSSIAN AEROSPACE FORCES PLANS TO LAUNCH MISSILE IN THE SPACE
AND TO SINK ITS FRAGMENTES IN THE WATERS OF THE BASIN OF BARETNTS
SEA. TEMPO DANGER AREA ESTABLISHED 'RUSSIAN MISSILE MAY22 AREA 2'
PSN: 763000N 0220000E - 752000N 0244000E - 745000N 0214000E -
755000N 0184000E - (763000N 0220000E)
F) SFC G) UNL
CREATED: 11 May 2022 06:54:00
SOURCE: EUECYIYN

The impact zones in the Barents Sea point to a launch into a Sun-synchronous orbit. Last month an insider on the NK forum hinted that the next Bars-M satellite was close to launch, so the best guess right now is that this will be the payload. This will be the fifth Russian military launch in about 3 months, a pace rarely seen in recent years.

B. Hendrickx · « **Reply #20 on:** 05/12/2022 12:20 pm »

The same insider on the NK forum now confirms that the payload is 14F148, the military index for Bars-M.

input~2 · « **Reply #21 on:** 05/16/2022 08:30 pm »

Number: 62/22
Date: 161830 UTC may 22
Warning: NAVAREA XIX 62/22
BARENTS SEA
1. MISSILE LAUNCHING FROM 19 TO 22 MAY DAILY 0730 TO 1000 UTC IN AREA DANGEROUS TO NAVIGATION
A. 75-50.0N 018-40.0E
B. 76-30.0N 022-00.0E
C. 75-20.0N 024-40.0E
D. 74-50.0N 021-40.0E
E. 75-50.0N 018-40.0E

PREVIOUS HF WARNINGS ISSUED NAVAREA XIX 139/21

2. CANCEL THIS MESSAGE 22 MAY 1000 UTC

Rondaz · « **Reply #22 on:** 05/18/2022 10:20 pm »

Orbital Launch no.56 of 2022 🇷🇺..

BARS-M | Russian Space Force | May 19 | 0445 ET

Russian Space Force launch of 3rd Bars-M🛰️ atop a Soyuz 2.1a from Plesetsk Cosmodrome as part of a low orbit electro-optical reconnaissance constellation.

https://twitter.com/SpaceIntellige3/status/1526918809373790208

Alter Sachse · « **Reply #23 on:** 05/19/2022 07:06 am »

Launch times of the previous Bars-M satellites:
Kosmos 2503 11:01:35 UTC
Kosmos 2515 09:42:00 UTC

tehwkd · « **Reply #24 on:** 05/19/2022 08:11 am »

https://forum.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/index.php?msg=2398933

in flight

tehwkd · « **Reply #25 on:** 05/19/2022 08:25 am »

https://www.interfax.ru/russia/841690

Quote

С космодрома "Плесецк" запущена ракета с военным спутником
Москва. 19 мая. INTERFAX.RU - Космические войска осуществили с космодрома "Плесецк" успешный пуск ракеты-носителя "Союз-2.1а" со спутником в интересах Министерства обороны. Об этом сообщили журналистам в Департаменте информации и массовых коммуникаций Минобороны РФ.

"В четверг, 19 мая, в 11 часов 03 минуты с Государственного испытательного космодрома Министерства обороны Российской Федерации боевым расчетом Космических войск Воздушно-космических сил проведен успешный пуск ракеты-носителя среднего класса "Союз-2.1а" с космическим аппаратом в интересах Минобороны России", - сообщили в департаменте.

Quote

A rocket with a military satellite was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome
Moscow. May 19. INTERFAX.RU - The Space Forces successfully launched a Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket with a satellite from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in the interests of the Ministry of Defense. This was reported to journalists in the Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

"On Thursday, May 19, at 11:03 am, a combat crew of the Space Forces of the Aerospace Forces successfully launched a Soyuz-2.1a medium-class launch vehicle with a spacecraft in the interests of the Russian Ministry of Defense from the State Test Cosmodrome of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation" , the department said.

Satori · « **Reply #26 on:** 05/19/2022 08:29 am »

Exact launch time: 08:03:32.331UTC.

Alter Sachse · « **Reply #27 on:** 05/19/2022 09:54 am »

TASS: Kosmos 2556

Rondaz · « **Reply #28 on:** 05/19/2022 10:06 am »

"Soyuz" with a military satellite launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome.

The Soyuz-2.1 rocket with a military satellite was launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome.

11:18 05/19/2022 (updated: 11:19 05/19/2022)

MOSCOW, May 19 - RIA Novosti. The Space Forces successfully launched a Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket with a satellite from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in the interests of the Ministry of Defense, journalists were told in the Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Russian Defense Ministry.

"On Thursday, May 19, at 11:03 am, a combat crew of the Space Forces of the Aerospace Forces successfully launched a Soyuz-2.1a medium-class carrier rocket with a spacecraft in the interests of the Russian Defense Ministry" , the department said.

The launch took place in the normal mode. The rocket at 11.06 was accepted for escort by ground means by specialists of the Space Forces of the Aerospace Forces .

https://ria.ru/20220519/raketa-1789404648.html

Rondaz · « **Reply #29 on:** 05/19/2022 10:08 am »

"Soyuz-2.1a" with a military satellite launched from "Plesetsk".

A Soyuz-2.1a rocket with a military satellite was launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome.

11:56 19.05.2022

MOSCOW, May 19/ Radio Sputnik. The Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket with a military satellite successfully launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome, RIA Novosti reports with reference to the Russian Defense Ministry.

"On Thursday, May 19, at 11:03 am, a combat crew of the Space Forces of the Aerospace Forces successfully launched a Soyuz-2.1a medium-class carrier rocket with a spacecraft in the interests of the Russian Defense Ministry" , the message says.

At 11:06 a.m., specialists from the Space Forces of the Aerospace Forces accepted the rocket for escort by ground means.

Earlier, Sputnik radio reported that Russia would transfer unused property at Baikonur to Kazakhstan.

https://radiosputnik.ria.ru/20220519/soyuz-1789417135.html

Rondaz · « **Reply #30 on:** 05/19/2022 10:10 am »

Military satellite launched from Plesetsk launched into orbit.

Military satellite launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome successfully launched into orbit.

12:09 19.05.2022

MOSCOW, May 19 - RIA Novosti. The satellite, launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome, was successfully launched into orbit, journalists were told in the Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Russian Defense Ministry.

"The spacecraft launched in the interests of the Russian Ministry of Defense by the combat crew of the Space Forces of the Aerospace Forces from the State Test Cosmodrome of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation today, May 19, was launched into the target orbit at the estimated time and accepted for escort by ground means of the Main Test Space Center named after G.S. Titov Space Forces of the Aerospace Forces," the department said.

After launching into the target orbit, the satellite was assigned the serial number "Kosmos-2556".

https://ria.ru/20220519/sputnik-1789420425.html

Alter Sachse · « **Reply #31 on:** 05/19/2022 11:10 am »

Kosmos 2556
97.70° 93.52 min 337x557 km

Satori · « **Reply #32 on:** 05/19/2022 01:56 pm »

Launch video

Launch was from LC43/4

Satori · « **Reply #33 on:** 05/19/2022 01:56 pm »

Stills from launch video...

Satori · « **Reply #34 on:** 05/19/2022 01:57 pm »

Satori · « **Reply #35 on:** 05/19/2022 01:58 pm »

Rondaz · « **Reply #36 on:** 05/19/2022 08:38 pm »

CelesTrak has TLEs for 2 objects from the launch (2022-054) of COSMOS 2556 on a Soyuz-2.1a rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome on May 19 at 0803 UTC:

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1527323420840501248

Rondaz · « **Reply #37 on:** 05/19/2022 08:44 pm »

Russia launched the third Bars-M mapping satellite at 0803 UTC from Plesetsk on a Soyuz-2-1a rocket. The satellite entered a 337 x 557 km x 97.7 deg sun-sync orbit with 23:47 local time orbital plane and was given the cover name Kosmos-2556..

https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1527340170621558784

Josh_from_Canada · « **Reply #38 on:** 05/20/2022 05:45 am »

The launch happened from Site 43 Pad 4

Nicolas PILLET · « **Reply #39 on:** 05/21/2022 12:09 pm »

Nicolas PILLET · « **Reply #40 on:** 05/22/2022 07:05 am »

Note that serial number is 7802x118, which is very similar to the S/N of Meridian launch of 20.02.2020 (78021118). Any idea of the missing figure ?

Alter Sachse · « **Reply #41 on:** 05/22/2022 08:44 am »

Orbit modified:
May 22
97.70° 95.14 min 491x560 km

Alter Sachse · « **Reply #42 on:** 05/22/2022 08:48 am »

Quote from: Nicolas PILLET on 05/22/2022 07:05 am

Note that serial number is 7802x118, which is very similar to the S/N of Meridian launch of 20.02.2020 (78021118). Any idea of the missing figure ?

3rd stage is 78021118.

Alter Sachse · « **Reply #43 on:** 05/23/2022 07:05 am »

May 23
97.70° 96.10 min 565x579 km

Fmedici · « **Reply #44 on:** 05/23/2022 08:52 am »

The serial number is 77046-243 according to Gunter's Space Page:

Quote

1293 32 Soyuz-2-1a 77046-243 19.05.2022 Pl LC-43/x Kosmos 2556 (Bars-M #3)

Alter Sachse · « **Reply #45 on:** 05/23/2022 09:45 am »

Quote from: Fmedici on 05/23/2022 08:52 am

The serial number is 77046-243 according to Gunter's Space Page:

Quote
1293 32 Soyuz-2-1a 77046-243 19.05.2022 Pl LC-43/x Kosmos 2556 (Bars-M #3)

Yes, but for Bars No. 1

Fmedici · « **Reply #46 on:** 05/23/2022 09:48 am »

Quote from: Alter Sachse on 05/23/2022 09:45 am

Quote from: Fmedici on 05/23/2022 08:52 am
The serial number is 77046-243 according to Gunter's Space Page:

Quote
1293 32 Soyuz-2-1a 77046-243 19.05.2022 Pl LC-43/x Kosmos 2556 (Bars-M #3)
Yes, but for Bars No. 1

Oh right, just noticed that. Idk why it has been duplicated.

Skyrocket · « **Reply #47 on:** 05/23/2022 10:46 am »

Quote from: Fmedici on 05/23/2022 09:48 am

Quote from: Alter Sachse on 05/23/2022 09:45 am
Quote from: Fmedici on 05/23/2022 08:52 am
The serial number is 77046-243 according to Gunter's Space Page:

Quote
1293 32 Soyuz-2-1a 77046-243 19.05.2022 Pl LC-43/x Kosmos 2556 (Bars-M #3)
Yes, but for Bars No. 1

Oh right, just noticed that. Idk why it has been duplicated.

Because the editor of this site was lazy, and duplicated the entry for Bars-M #1 and forgot to delete the serial number

B. Hendrickx · « **Reply #48 on:** 07/04/2023 12:32 pm »

Online court documentation offers some insight into the launch delays suffered by Bars-M (14F148) nr. 3 and 4 (launched as Kosmos-2556 in May 2022 and Kosmos-2567 in March 2023).

https://sudact.ru/regular/doc/82NKpJry2V5s/
https://xn--90afdbaav0bd1afy6eub5d.xn--p1ai/51480327

The Progress Rocket and Space Center (RKTs Progress) received a contract for the production of these satellites as well as two others (nrs. 5 and 6) on 27 August 2014. As is mentioned in the first document (dated February 2020), satellites nr. 3 and 4 were originally supposed to be delivered to the Ministry of Defense by late November 2017 and satellites nr. 5 and 6 by late November 2020.

By early 2017 the delivery of spacecraft nr. 3 and 4 had slipped to late 2018 and by early 2019 delivery of spacecraft nr. 3 was expected in late 2019. The only reason given in the document for the delays are problems with the delivery of foreign-built electronic components, among other things for the high-speed data downlink system (designated 14V122), manufactured by NII TP (Scientific Research Institute of Precision Instruments). As is standard practice, these components are not purchased abroad by the prime contractor itself (in this case RKTs Progress), but by a company that acts as a liaison between the foreign supplier and the prime contractor (in this case Setevye Tekhnologii).

The second document (dated July 2020) specifically links the delays to Western sanctions. Although the spacecraft serial numbers as well as many dates were deleted, it is almost certainly about satellites nr. 3 and 4. It literally says:

“Because of the economic sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation by the United States and the European Union, it became impossible to carry out the work within the set timelines since the foreign electronic components were not delivered. The economic sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation were force majeure circumstances that [significantly impacted the ability to carry out] the government contract.”

At the same time, the document says, the need arose to modernize the 14F148 satellite by incorporating new electronic components into some of the on-board equipment, among other things by updating production techniques. Reading between the lines, that should probably be interpreted as meaning that Western-built electronic components had to be replaced by Russian ones and/or those purchased from other foreign suppliers.

That modernization work became the subject of a new goverment contract signed between the Ministry of Defense and RKTs Progress on 5 March 2016 under the code name “Matritsa” (“Matrix”). At the time of writing, the launch of the first satellite adapted under Matritsa was expected in 2021. Its new systems were to undergo at least fourteen months of in-orbit testing, following which changes might have to be made to the next satellite. In the event, the interval between the launches of satellites nr. 3 and 4 was about 10 months, indicating that any such changes must have been minor.

It would seem that the modernized satellites have retained the original military index of Bars-M (14F148). This was not the case for Glonass-K2 and Rodnik, which are also undergoing significant modifications because of the need to replace foreign-built components. Glonass-K2 switched from 14F160 to 14F170 and Rodnik from 14F132 to 14F161.