Cosmos-2421 naval reconnaissance satellite of the US-PU/Legenda system (29247/2006-026A), launched on 25 June 2006, stopped performing its regular orbit-correcting maneuvers at after February 10, 2008. According to Philip Clark, a long-time observer of the Soviet and Russian space program, the satellite suffered a breakup during February 15-16. As of March 20, 2008 NORAD registered 15 fragments of Cosmos-2421 (32710, 32715-32728).
The satellite was reported to experience problems with one of its solar panels right after the launch. It was, however, able to operate for more than 20 months - not much less than other satellites of the US-PU system, which usually operate in orbit for about two years.
Fragmentation at the end of the satellite service life is also a common occurrence - of the last five US-PU satellites (Cosmos-2347, Cosmos-2367, Cosmos-2383, Cosmos-2405, and Cosmos-2421) only one - Cosmos-2405 - produced no registered debris.
Cosmos-2421 may be the last satellite of the US-PU system. This system and the Tselina-2 electronic intelligence system are expected to be replaced by a new system, known as Liana. The first launch of a Liana satellite from Plesetsk using Soyuz-U launcher is reportedly scheduled for 2008.
UPDATE 03/29/08: 20 more fragments have been registered - 32732-32748, 32752-32754.
UPDATE 04/15/08: Five more - 32758-32762.
UPDATE 05/21/08: Debris are still being registered - the last one as of today is 2006-026HD.
UPDATE 07/27/08: As of today, 426 pieces of debris were registered - the lat one is 2006-026SV. 270 objects (including the original satellite) are still in orbit.
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And in the gap between the breakup of this one and the launch of Liana, what happens?
Nothing much, I guess. It's not unusual to have no reconnaissance satellites in orbit.
Hi Pavel,
There are some very interesting, as for me, information about russian navy:
http://www.kommersant.com/p856120/r_527/Russian_Naval_Fleet_directory/
If it's really interesting, put this link as separate thread, please.
Victor: Thank you. It is an interesting list. Unfortunately, it does not seem to be complete.
Of course, it's the some compilations from the "open sources", so one must expect enough mistakes and incompletion...
So there are some questions, can You answer it?
"First four serial Sineva missiles were supplied to the fleet in 2006, and 12 more missiles were produced in 2007, which allowed re-arming Tula atomic-powered ship."
So, only 16 between R-29RM missiles are Sineva, the rest are old (but good) Skif?
I tried to look at the Sineva situation in a separate post.