Almaz-1V Credit - Khrunichev

Civilian derivative of the Almaz-1V military radarsat, developed for international earth resources missions, including a 3 band sounder with 5 to 7 m resolution and a high-resolution scanning infrared system.

Work began on a successor to the Almaz reconnaissance platform in 1973. This Almaz-1V was to have a 5 to 7 m resolution radar ground mapping system, coupled with a 2.5 to 4 m optical camera. It was designed to be man-tended by the TKS logistics spacecraft. 100 engineers applied for training on the system, but the medical commission cleared only six for cosmonaut training.

However the Soviet military showed no interest in use of the Almaz-T by the mid-1980's. The Ministry of Defense was satisfied with the performance of its new electro-optical satellites. Finally the Academy of Sciences agreed to take the project over. A VPK decree of 12 April 1986 required Almaz 1B to be developed for international earth resources missions, including a 3 band sounder with 5 to 7 m resolution and a high-resolution scanning infrared system. The existing military Almaz-T's would be flown as prototypes of this design.

The first Almaz-1B was to have been launched in 1993 on a two year mission. Almaz-1B would have carried three synthetic aperture radars: SAR-10 (9.6 cm wavelength, 5-40 m resolution, 25-300 km swath); SAR-70 (70 cm wavelength, 15-60 m resolution, 100-150 km swath), and a 3.6 cm wavelength SAR with 5-7 m resolution. Multi-spectral scanners, including MSU-E and MSU-SK, would also carried as well as a Balkan-2 lidar. However a lack of funding postponed the flight of Almaz-1B to late 1997 before it faded from sight.

Mass: 18,550 kg (40,890 lb). Main Engine: RD-0225. Main Engine Thrust: 7.840 kN (1,763 lbf). Main Engine Propellants: N2O4/UDMH. Main Engine Isp: 291 sec. Associated Launch Vehicle: Proton 8K82K.

• Gorodnichev, Yu P, et. al., 80 let GKNPTs imemi M V Khrunicheva, GKNPTs i Khrunicheva, 1995. ISBN: 5865080784. 80th Anniversary tribute, in words and pictures, of the Khrunichev factory - which began with automobiles, moved on to aircraft, then missiles, space boosters, and manned space stations. More at amazon.com...

• Yeteyev, Ivan, Operezhaya vremya, Ocherki, Moscow, 1999.. Collection of articles involving the life and works of Chief Designer Chelomei and the Khrunichev factory.

• Johnson, Nicholas L; and Rodvold, David M, Europe and Asia in Space 1993-1994, USAF Phillips Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, NM 80907, 1995.. Comprehensive survey of Russian, Chinese, and European launchers and spacecraft.

• Melnik, T G, Voenno-Kosmicheskiy Siliy, Nauka, Moscow, 1997.. Two-volume official history of the (now defunct) Russin space forces.