NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Cosmos 2290

Launch Time
Fri Aug 26, 1994 12:00 UTC

Rocket

Zenit-2
VKS RF
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 7,257 kN
Payload to LEO: 13,500 kg
Payload to GTO: 4,500 kg
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 57.0 m
Fairing Diameter: 3.9 m
Fairing Height: 13.65 m

Mission Details

Cosmos 2290

Orlets-2 or Yenisey was an improved Orlets-1 film return reconnaissance satellite with 22 small return capsules.

Following evaluation of flight trials in April-May 1977 it was concluded that the Yantar-2K was not capable of providing strategic warning of attack. Therefore three additional variants were developed, one of them the wide-spectrum detail and survey satellite Orlets.

Orlets featured a panoramic camera and drew on features of an existing draft project designated Yantar-6K. The redesigned spacecraft was expandable, with Phase 1 (Orlets-1) being launched by the Soyuz-U2 launch vehicle, equipped with 8 film return capsules and having a design life of 60 days.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 10,500.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

Location

Site 45/1, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

Stats

1994

56th orbital launch attempt

Zenit

23rd mission
2nd mission of 1994
16th successful mission
6th consecutive successful mission