NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Granat

Launch Time
Fri Dec 01, 1989 20:20 UTC

Rocket

Proton-K/Block D-1
RVSN USSR
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 9,468 kN
Payload to LEO: 19,000 kg
Payload to GTO: 9,000 kg
Stages: 4
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 56.14 m
Fairing Diameter: 3.9 m
Fairing Height: 10.4 m

Mission Details

Granat

Originally called Astron 2, Granat was an X- and gamma-ray astronomical observatory studying high energy emissions from galactic and extra-galactic sources. It was launched from Tyuratam by a four-stage Proton-K Blok-D-1 booster. The observatory was based on the main bus design of earlier Venera and Vega missions. It was cylindrical, about 4 m long and 2.5 m in diameter. Two solar panels extended from either side of the main body. Mass was about 4 metric tons, with 2.3 metric tons of experiments. The major experiment was a French Sigma coded-mask gamma radiation telescope. It measured 3.5 m by 1.2 m diameter and had a 4.45 by 4.20 deg. field of view. The satellite also carried a spectroscope and an X-ray imaging telescope. The astrophysics payload was developed in cooperation with France, Bulgaria and Denmark. The mission was expected to last 18 months, however, lengthy ground delays may have reduced its on-orbit life to eight months.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 4,000.0 kg
Highly Elliptical Orbit

Location

Site 200/40, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

Stats

1989

97th orbital launch attempt

Proton-K

176th mission
9th mission of 1989
150th successful mission
20th consecutive successful mission