Launch Prelaunch Failure
Liftoff Time (GMT)
23:59:59
Tuesday June 26, 1973
The launcher exploded on the pad during tests, killing 9 employees.
Tselina-OM #20 is a satellite of the Tselina-OM constellation. Tselina-OM is a Russian, formerly Soviet, military space-based radio surveillance system. It is capable of determining the exact location of radio-emitting objects and also their type, modes of operation, and how active they are. For instance, preparation for a military operation may raise the activity of the radio communications. Detection of these communications by a space-based surveillance system can provide early warning of this activity, warning that may be unavailable by other means.
Low Earth Orbit
1 Payload
400 kilograms
90th
Mission
8th
Mission of 1973
38th
Mission of 1973