Status
Success
Cosmos 2344
Launch Time
Fri Jun 06, 1997 16:56 UTC
Fri Jun 06, 1997 16:56 UTC
Rocket
Mission Details
Cosmos 2344
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.
Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 7,500.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit
Location
Site 200/39, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Stats
1997
30th orbital launch attempt
Proton-K
242nd mission
2nd mission of 1997
212th successful mission
2nd consecutive successful mission