Yantar-4K2M

Yantar-4K2M
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
First 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

Yantar-4K2M (Russian: Янтарь meaning amber), also known as Kobalt-M, is a type of Russian reconnaissance satellite and is the current operational member of the Yantar series of satellites. In common with most Yantar satellites the Kobalt-M uses film rather than digital cameras. This allows a better quality of photographs. The drawback is film cannot be sent to Earth so easily, so Yantar satellites require special way of delivery.

The Kobalt-M is an improved version of the Kobalt satellite and the first one was launched as Kosmos 2410 in 2004. It returns three sets of film during its mission. The first two land in film return canisters (called SpK - Spuskayemaya Kapsula) and a final set of film returns 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 are planned. Further reconnaissance missions are carried out by the Persona-class satellites.[4]

Launches

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 02 September 2014 119 days
Kosmos 2505[5] 5 June 2015[5] 17 September 2015 104 days

References

  1. ↑ Podvig, Pavel (2005-11-23). "Kobalt-M and other reconnaissance satellites". Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces. Retrieved 2013-05-09.
  2. ↑ 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 0-87724-068-X.
  3. ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "Yantar-4K2M (Kobalt-M, 11F695M ?)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Zak, Anatoly (2012-09-28). "Kobalt-M satellite". Russian Space Web. Retrieved 2016-03-14.
  5. 1 2 Russia conducts surprise Soyuz 2-1A launch carrying Kobalt-M NASASpaceFlight.com
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