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.