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Launch of Cosmos-2441 - first Persona optical reconnaissance satellite

On July 26, 2008 at 22:31 MSK (18:31 UTC) the Space Forces successfully launched a Soyuz-2.1b launcher from the launch pad No. 4 of the launch complex No. 43 of the Plesetsk space launch site. The satellite that was delivered into orbit, designated Cosmos-2441, is believed to be the first Persona optical reconnaissance satellite.

The satellite received international designation 2008-037A and NORAD number 33272. According to the NORAD data, the satellite was deployed on orbit with inclination of 98.3 degrees, apogee of about 770 km, perigee of about 210 km, and orbital period of about 94 minutes.

Cosmos-2441 seems to be the first Russian (or Soviet) optical reconnaissance satellite that is launched into a sun-synchronous orbit. According to some earlier reports, Persona satellite uses the telescope/sensor package, which is similar to (but different from) the one used on Arkon satellites. The reports, however, are somewhat contradictory.

UPDATE 08/02/08: On July 31, 2008 the satellite was moved to an almost circular orbit with altitude of about 750 km.

[Space] [July 26, 2008] []

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References to this entry

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Comments

Is there anything new or interesting about this satellite? Or is it just another in the series?

[Feanor ] [July 27, 2008] [#]

Feanor: Which series? Everything is in the text: It is "first Persona optical reconnaissance satellite". Also, it is "the first Russian optical reconnaissance satellite that is launched into a sun-synchronous orbit".

[Pavel Podvig ] [July 28, 2008] [#]

Dear Pavel,

Soyouz rocket lifted off from area n°43, not n°34...

Regards.

[Nicolas PILLET] [July 28, 2008] [#]

To Feanor : http://www.kommersant.com/p916726/Intelligence_Persona_satellite/
All, you want to know.

[Astute] [July 28, 2008] [#]

Nicolas PILLET: Thank you. I corrected the entry.

[Pavel Podvig ] [July 28, 2008] [#]

See my recent images of the satellite at

http://satcom.website.orange.co.uk/ ( Click the recent Obs tag )

Estimated length 5 metres , design thought to be similar to Hubble.

[John Locker] [July 30, 2008] [#]

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