On November 14, 2008 the Space Forces successfully launched a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk launch site. The satellite delivered into orbit was designated Cosmos-2445. It is most likely an optical reconnaissance satellite of the Kobalt-M type.
The launch was performed from the launch pad No. 2 of the launch complex No. 16 of the Plesetsk launch site at 18:50 MSK (15:50 UTC). Cosmos-2445 received international designation 2008-058A and NORAD catalog number 33439. According to NORAD data, Cosmos-2445 was deployed in an orbit with inclination of 67.16 degrees, orbital period of about 89 minutes, apogee of 340 km, and perigee of 180 km.
This is the fourth Kobalt-M launch. The previous one took place in June 2007 (Cosmos-2427). Nominal lifetime of these satellites, which use returnable film capsules, is about 60 days - Cosmos-2427 completed its mission in August 2007.
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Hi,
Do not understand the purpose of such a satellite, & why is it of such short duration...
Would of thought any reconnaissance satellite would be up for a much longer duration...
Thanks
The purpose is very straightforward - to collect information. It would be good, of course, to have a satellite with a longer life time, but this is how satellites of this type work - they complete mission after they use up all returnable film capsules.
But you have to admit it is a waste of money, or rather boosters. This type of satellites should be the thing of the past. Is this actually for millitary use or civilian?
It's a military satellite. I guess it does the job. Besides, Russia does not have much of a choice.
Now russia posses Persona optical optical reconnaissance satellite of new generation.
Also there is Resurs-DK1 in orbit which is used both for military and civil purposes.
But starting from next year Russia will launch 2 Persona satellites per year. Also in 2009 or 2010 new Resurs-P1 will be launched to replace currently operated Resurs-DK launched in 2006(with lifetime 3-5 years).
So, Today russia posses relative modern optical reconnaissance satellites network with persona and resurs-dk. In near future satellites number will be increased.
But this launch could be new ELINT satellite of LIANA type, which is also planed to be launched by Soyuz-U rocket.
Yes, I forgot about Persona (but it is still an experimental satellite, as far as I can tell) and Resurs-DK. Anyway, each satellite has its own mission, so I guess Kobalt-M has its own.