Yantar-4K2M (Russian: Янтарь meaning amber), also known as Kobalt-M, was a type of Russian reconnaissance satellite and the last operational member of the Yantar series of satellites. In common with most Yantar satellites, the Kobalt-M used film rather than digital cameras. This film could not be sent to Earth as easily as digital data.
| Manufacturer | TsSKB |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Russia |
| Operator | GRU |
| Applications | Reconnaissance satellite |
| Specifications | |
| Bus | Yantar |
| Equipment | film camera |
| Regime | Low Earth Orbit |
| Production | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launched | 10 |
| Operational | 0 |
| Retired | 10 |
| Maiden launch | 24 September 2004 (Kosmos 2410) |
| Last launch | 5 June 2015 (Kosmos 2505) |
| Last retirement | 17 September 2015 (Kosmos 2505) |
| Related spacecraft | |
| Derived from | Yantar-4K2 |
The Kobalt-M was an improved version of the Kobalt satellite and the first one was launched as Kosmos 2410 in 2004. It returned three sets of film during its mission. The first two landed in film return canisters (called SpK - Spuskayemaya Kapsula) and a final set of film returned in the satellite's special equipment module.[1][2][3][4] Image resolution is reportedly 30 cm.[4]
Ten satellites of this series were launched, the last one in 2015. No further orders were planned. Further reconnaissance missions were taken over by the Persona-class satellites.[4]
Launches
edit| Satellite | Launch date[4] | Landing date[4] | Mission Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kosmos 2410 | 24 September 2004 | 10 January 2005 | 108 days |
| Kosmos 2420 | 3 May 2006 | 19 July 2006 | 76 days |
| Kosmos 2427 | 7 June 2007 | 23 August 2007 | 76 days |
| Kosmos 2445 | 14 November 2008 | 23 February 2009 | 101 days |
| Kosmos 2450 | 29 April 2009 | 27 July 2009 | 89 days |
| Kosmos 2462 | 10 April 2010 | 21 July 2010 | 102 days |
| Kosmos 2472 | 27 June 2011 | 24 October 2011 | 119 days |
| Kosmos 2480 | 17 May 2012 | 24 September 2012 | 130 days |
| Kosmos 2495 | 6 May 2014 | 2 September 2014 | 119 days |
| Kosmos 2505[5] | 5 June 2015[5] | 17 September 2015 | 104 days |
References
edit- ^ Podvig, Pavel (2005-11-23). "Kobalt-M and other reconnaissance satellites". Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces. Retrieved 2013-05-09.
- ^ Podvig, Pavel; Zuang, Hui (2008). Russian and Chinese Responses to US Military Plans in Space (PDF). Cambridge, MA: American Academy of Arts and Sciences. ISBN 978-0-87724-068-6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2013-05-09.
- ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Yantar-4K2M (Kobalt-M, 11F695M ?)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
- ^ a b c d e Zak, Anatoly (2012-09-28). "Kobalt-M satellite". Russian Space Web. Retrieved 2016-03-14.
- ^ a b Russia conducts surprise Soyuz 2-1A launch carrying Kobalt-M NASASpaceFlight.com