On September 26, 2019 at 10:46 MSK (07:46 UTC), the Air and Space Forces successfully launched a Soyuz-2.1b launcher from the launch pad No. 4 of the launch complex No. 43 of the Plesetsk site. The satellite delivered to the orbit (by a Fregat booster) will join the space-based segment of the early-warning system.
The satellite received international designation 2019-065A and was registered by NORAD as object 44552.
The satellite is the third "Tundra" spacecraft of the new early-warning system, known as EKS. The first two satellites, Cosmos-2510 and Cosmos-2518, were launched in November 2015 and May 2017 respectively. Satellites are deployed on Molniya-type highly elliptical orbits. According to Anatoly Nesterchuk, the chief of staff of the 15th Army of the Air and Space Forces, with the launch of the third satellite the system will provide continuous coverage of all potential missile launch areas.
The complete system is expected to include ten satellites on HEO and GEO orbits. The program, however, is significantly behind schedule - initially, its deployment was expected to begin in 2009.
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