Strela (satellite)
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Strela (satellite) | |
Organisation | VKS/GRU |
---|---|
Major contractors | NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki |
Mission type | Communication |
Carrier Rocket | Kosmos-2I Kosmos-3 Kosmos-3M Tsyklon-3 |
Launch Site | Plesetsk Cosmodrome |
Mission duration | 5 years |
Power | 40 Watts from solar panels |
Batteries | Nickel/Hydrogen |
Orbital elements | |
Regime | LEO |
Inclination | 82.6° |
Apoapsis | 1414 kilometres |
Periapsis | 1400 kilometres |
Instruments | |
Spectral Band | UHF NATO B/D-band |
Data Rate | Up to 64kb/s |
Strela is a Russian (previously Soviet) military communications satellite constellation operating in low Earth orbit. The first three satellites, Kosmos-38, Kosmos-39 and Kosmos-40, were launched on 18 August 1964. Five different types of Strela satellites have been launched, designated Strela-1, Strela-1M, Strela-2, Strela-2M and Strela-3. Strela satellites are also used for the civilian Gonets programme.