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Launch of Cosmos-2446, a new first-generation early-warning satellite

On December 2, 2008 at 08:00 MSK (05:00 UTC) the Space Forces conducted a successful launch of a Molniya-M rocket from the launch pad No. 2 of the launch complex No. 16 of the Plesetsk launch site. The launcher delivered into orbit a new early-warning satellite of the 73D6 type, which will work as part of the first-generation US-KS early-warning system (also known as Oko).

The satellite received a designation Cosmos-2446. Its international designation is 2008-062A, NORAD number - 33447. The satellite was deployed on a highly-elliptical orbit with inclination of 62.8 degrees and orbital period of about 702 minutes. Apogee of the initial orbit is about 39,000 km, perigee – about 600 km.

The satellite will join two other satellites of the US-KS/Oko constellation - Cosmos-2422 and Cosmos-2430. The new satellite is deployed in an orbital plane that is located between the orbital planes of these two satellites, which means that it will complement the constellation rather than replace one of the currently operational satellites.

In addition to the US-KS early-warning satellites Russia operates two satellites of the US-KMO system - Cosmos-2379 and Cosmos-2440, which are deployed on the geostationary orbit.

[Early warning] [Space] [December 2, 2008] []

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Comments

Pavel,

Can you guess what exactly is new about this class of satellites? I assume that it can be assumed based on the fact that this upgrade was probably initiated in the USSR and that the info might have leaked somehow (as for some other satellites). Do you guess that the ultimate goal of the space based early warning component is to eventually get whole planet coverage? The fact that the spacecraft will complement the constellation instead of replace some satellite is quite understandable - they want to test the satellite.

Ivan

[Ivan] [December 4, 2008] [#]

Ivan: There is nothing new about this satellite - it is a satellite of the first generation.

[Pavel Podvig ] [December 5, 2008] [#]

Do they intend to create new generation satellites to replace this old system? Why should they stick to the old one if they can introduce something new.

[Nakajima ] [December 6, 2008] [#]

Nakajima: Yes, a new system is in the works.

[Pavel Podvig ] [December 6, 2008] [#]

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