Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
15:13:21
Thursday July 25, 2002
The Araks-N was a electro-optical area reconnaissance satellite, which had reportedly a resolution of 2 - 10 m (panchromatic and infra red). Its high orbit gave it a longer loitering time over the target. Araks-N was built on NPO Lavochkin's Arkon platform, which was a development of the proven Mars / Venera interplanetary platforms. LOMO, St. Petersburg provided the 1.5 m telescope (17V317) for the satellite. Araks-N 1 (Kosmos 2344) was successfully launched on 6. June 1997, but suffered an battery failure immediately after reaching orbit. The satellite could be operated for 4 months, but was finally lost. Araks-N 2 (Kosmos 2392) reached successfully orbit on 25. July 2002. It operated successfully for about one year, until the pressurized service compartment lost pressure, leading to the loss of the mission.
Low Earth Orbit
1 Payload
7,500 kilograms
Manufacturer
KhrunichevRocket
Height: 57.64m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 19,000 kg
GTO: 2,500 kg
Liftoff Thrust
9,548 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 4.35m
Height: 10.4m
Stages
4
288th
Mission
4th
Mission of 2002
37th
Orbital launch attempt