A 1992 Lavochkin project called Monitor envisioned a small, 600-kg spacecraft launched by a Kosmos booster for moderate resolution Earth observations in the 0.4-12.5 micrometer band.

The Monitor-E prototype launched 11 years later was of similar size and was equipped with 8-meter and 20-meter resolution cameras. It was said to use a Yachta bus.

Length: 1.20 m (3.90 ft). Basic Diameter: 1.20 m (3.90 ft). Span: 4.00 m (13.10 ft). Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb).

• 2003 June 30 - Monitor-E/SL - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC133/3. Launch Vehicle: UR-100N. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Perigee: 694 km (431 mi). Apogee: 835 km (518 mi). Inclination: 98.70 deg. Period: 100.10 min.
  Delayed from October 2002, April 2003. Monitor-E mass model not released.

• 2005 August 26 - Monitor-E - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC133/3. Launch Vehicle: UR-100N. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Perigee: 522 km (324 mi). Apogee: 545 km (338 mi). Inclination: 97.50 deg. Period: 95.30 min.
  Delayed from June 30, July 30, August 18 2005. Prototype lightweight earth monitoring satellite with 8-meter and 20-meter resolution cameras.