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Etalon
Class: Earth. Type: Geodetic. Destination: Medium Earth Orbit. Nation: Russia. Agency: MOM. Manufacturer: Reshetnev.

Passive geodetic satellites, 1415 kg, 1.294 m in diameter, covered with 306 antenna arrays, each with 14 corner cubes for laser reflection. Etalon was designed and launched with the primary mission of fully characterizing the earth's gravitational field at the altitude and inclination planned for the Glonass navigation satellites. The satellite was also used to refine understanding of Earth and Moon's gravitational fields, determine the effect of non-gravitational forces on the satellites; acquisition of data to enhance accuracy in identifying and forecasting movements of space apparatus, and for geophysical and geodetic research.

Typical orbit: 19096 km x 19149 km at 65 degrees inclination. Length: 1.29 m (4.25 ft). Maximum Diameter: 1.29 m (4.25 ft). Span: 1.29 m (4.25 ft). Mass: 1,415 kg (3,119 lb).

Etalon Chronology
  • 1989 January 10 - Cosmos 1989 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/39. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Mass: 1,415 kg (3,119 lb). Perigee: 19,097 km (11,866 mi). Apogee: 19,152 km (11,900 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 675.50 min.
    Etalon series. Acquisition of data to enhance accuracy in identifying and forecasting movements of space apparatus, and for geophysical and geodetic research.

  • 1989 May 31 - Cosmos 2024 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/40. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Mass: 1,415 kg (3,119 lb). Perigee: 19,095 km (11,865 mi). Apogee: 19,146 km (11,896 mi). Inclination: 65.50 deg. Period: 675.40 min.
    Etalon series. Acquisition of data to enhance accuracy in identifying and forecasting movements of space apparatus, and for geophysical and geodetic research.

Bibliography:

  • McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page (launch records), Harvard University, 1997-present. Web Address when accessed: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.
  • JPL Mission and Spacecraft Library, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1997. Web Address when accessed: http://msl.jpl.nasa.gov/home.html.
  • Kaesmann, Ferdinand, et. al., Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, "Proton - Development of A Russian Launch Vehicle", 1998, Volume 51, page 3.
  • Johnson, Nicholas L; and Rodvold, David M, Europe and Asia in Space 1993-1994, USAF Phillips Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, NM 80907, 1995..
  • Vladimirov, A, Novosti kosmonavtiki, "Tablitsa zapuskov RN 'Proton' i 'Proton K'", 1998, Issue 10, page 25.
  • Melnik, T G, Voenno-Kosmicheskiy Siliy, Nauka, Moscow, 1997..
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