Strela-1

The Strela communications system consisted of a large constellation of medium orbit store-dump satellites that provided survivable communications for Soviet military and intelligence forces. The larger Strela-2M model provided encrypted communications for theatre military forces.

Strela-2M's were launched one at a time by Kosmos 3M launch vehicles into orbits at 800 km altitude in three orbital planes inclined 74 degrees to the equator and spaced 120 degrees apart.

The system was developed experimentally in the 1960's, with flight tests from 1965. Reshetnev was the chief designer in collaboration with the KB Krasnoyarsk Radio-Technical Factory (V G Taranenko) and MNIIRS MPSS (Yu S Bikov). The Strela-2M used the communications satellite bus KAUR-1. Flight tests of the operational system began in 1970. Production system work began in 1972. In 1974 the Strela 2M system was accepted by the military. In the period 1970 to 1994 a total of 59 Strela-2M's were launched. The satellites could be monitored in the West by their characteristic continuous wave beacon at 153.660 MHz. After 1994 the Strela-3 replaced both the Strela-1M and Strela-2M in service.

Strela-2M used the basic KAUR-1 bus, consisting of a 2.035 m diameter cylindrical spacecraft body, with solar cells and radiators of the thermostatic temperature regulating system mounted on the exterior. Orientation was by a single-axis magneto-gravitational (gravity gradient boom) passive system. The hermetically sealed compartment had the equipment mounted in cruciform bays, with the chemical batteries protecting the radio and guidance equipment mounted at the centre. In service Strela-2M exhibited a lifetime of 24 to 36 months.

Typical orbit: 775 km x 800 km at 74 degrees inclination. Length: 3.00 m (9.80 ft). Maximum Diameter: 2.04 m (6.68 ft). Span: 2.04 m (6.68 ft). Mass: 900 kg (1,980 lb).

• 1970 June 27 - Strela-2 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. FAILURE: Launch vehicle failed to orbit - unknown cause.
  

• 1970 October 16 - Cosmos 372 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 767 km (476 mi). Apogee: 787 km (489 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 100.40 min.
  

• 1971 April 23 - Cosmos 407 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 773 km (480 mi). Apogee: 800 km (490 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.60 min.
  

• 1971 December 17 - Cosmos 468 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 768 km (477 mi). Apogee: 789 km (490 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.40 min.
  

• 1972 June 23 - Cosmos 494 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 772 km (479 mi). Apogee: 786 km (488 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 100.40 min.
  

• 1972 October 17 - Strela-2 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. FAILURE: Launch vehicle failed to orbit - unknown cause.
  

• 1972 December 25 - Cosmos 540 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 763 km (474 mi). Apogee: 790 km (490 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 100.40 min.
  

• 1973 December 4 - Cosmos 614 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 751 km (466 mi). Apogee: 787 km (489 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 100.20 min.
  

• 1974 September 11 - Cosmos 676 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 779 km (484 mi). Apogee: 798 km (495 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.60 min.
  

• 1975 September 30 - Cosmos 773 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 772 km (479 mi). Apogee: 790 km (490 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 100.50 min.
  

• 1975 November 28 - Cosmos 783 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 779 km (484 mi). Apogee: 797 km (495 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 100.60 min.
  

• 1976 June 29 - Cosmos 836 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 773 km (480 mi). Apogee: 801 km (497 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 100.60 min.
  

• 1976 July 15 - Cosmos 841 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 769 km (477 mi). Apogee: 789 km (490 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.40 min.
  

• 1976 September 29 - Cosmos 858 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 774 km (480 mi). Apogee: 794 km (493 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 100.50 min.
  

• 1977 July 1 - Cosmos 923 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 781 km (485 mi). Apogee: 800 km (490 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.70 min.
  

• 1977 December 16 - Cosmos 968 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 765 km (475 mi). Apogee: 791 km (491 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.40 min.
  

• 1978 February 17 - Cosmos 990 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 764 km (474 mi). Apogee: 791 km (491 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.40 min.
  

• 1978 June 21 - Cosmos 1023 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 766 km (475 mi). Apogee: 786 km (488 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 100.40 min.
  

• 1978 November 16 - Cosmos 1048 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 769 km (477 mi). Apogee: 797 km (495 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.50 min.
  

• 1979 June 28 - Cosmos 1110 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 775 km (481 mi). Apogee: 797 km (495 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.60 min.
  

• 1979 August 28 - Cosmos 1125 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 779 km (484 mi). Apogee: 795 km (493 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.60 min.
  

• 1979 October 11 - Cosmos 1140 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 765 km (475 mi). Apogee: 787 km (489 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 100.40 min.
  

• 1980 July 1 - Cosmos 1190 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 777 km (482 mi). Apogee: 792 km (492 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.60 min.
  

• 1981 May 7 - Cosmos 1269 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 781 km (485 mi). Apogee: 798 km (495 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 100.70 min.
  

• 1981 August 28 - Cosmos 1302 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 771 km (479 mi). Apogee: 796 km (494 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.50 min.
  Replaced Cosmos 1269.

• 1982 January 7 - Cosmos 1331 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 757 km (470 mi). Apogee: 795 km (493 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 100.40 min.
  Replaced Cosmos 1302.

• 1982 April 28 - Cosmos 1354 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 783 km (486 mi). Apogee: 798 km (495 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.70 min.
  Replaced Cosmos 1190.

• 1982 June 1 - Cosmos 1371 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 781 km (485 mi). Apogee: 801 km (497 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.70 min.
  Replaced Cosmos 1140.

• 1982 August 30 - Strela-2 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. FAILURE: Launch vehicle failed to orbit - unknown cause.
  

• 1982 November 11 - Cosmos 1420 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 768 km (477 mi). Apogee: 800 km (490 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.60 min.
  

• 1983 April 12 - Cosmos 1452 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 774 km (480 mi). Apogee: 800 km (490 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.60 min.
  Replaced Cosmos 1371.

• 1983 August 3 - Cosmos 1486 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 775 km (481 mi). Apogee: 794 km (493 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 100.60 min.
  Replaced Cosmos 1354.

• 1983 October 12 - Cosmos 1503 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 779 km (484 mi). Apogee: 800 km (490 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.70 min.
  Replaced Cosmos 1486.

• 1984 February 21 - Cosmos 1538 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Perigee: 769 km (477 mi). Apogee: 800 km (490 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.60 min.
  Replaced Cosmos 1420.

• 1984 June 8 - Cosmos 1570 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 782 km (485 mi). Apogee: 800 km (490 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 100.70 min.
  Replaced Cosmos 1452.

• 1985 January 17 - Cosmos 1624 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Perigee: 777 km (482 mi). Apogee: 797 km (495 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.60 min.
  Replaced Cosmos 1570.

• 1985 September 4 - Cosmos 1680 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Perigee: 774 km (480 mi). Apogee: 798 km (495 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 100.60 min.
  Replaced Cosmos 1538.

• 1986 April 17 - Cosmos 1741 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Perigee: 773 km (480 mi). Apogee: 801 km (497 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.60 min.
  Replaced Cosmos 1503.

• 1986 July 16 - Cosmos 1763 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC133/3. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Perigee: 749 km (465 mi). Apogee: 794 km (493 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.30 min.
  

• 1986 September 10 - Cosmos 1777 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC133/3. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Perigee: 768 km (477 mi). Apogee: 803 km (498 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.60 min.
  Replaced Cosmos 1624.

• 1987 January 21 - Cosmos 1814 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Perigee: 763 km (474 mi). Apogee: 799 km (496 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 100.50 min.
  

• 1987 June 9 - Cosmos 1850 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Perigee: 776 km (482 mi). Apogee: 797 km (495 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.60 min.
  

• 1987 December 1 - Cosmos 1898 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC133/3. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Perigee: 770 km (470 mi). Apogee: 800 km (490 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.60 min.
  

• 1988 April 5 - Cosmos 1937 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC133/3. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Perigee: 761 km (472 mi). Apogee: 797 km (495 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.40 min.
  

• 1988 June 21 - Cosmos 1954 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC133/3. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Perigee: 772 km (479 mi). Apogee: 796 km (494 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.50 min.
  Outer space research.

• 1989 January 26 - Cosmos 1992 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 900 kg (1,980 lb). Perigee: 764 km (474 mi). Apogee: 798 km (495 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 100.50 min.
  

• 1990 January 18 - Cosmos 2056 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC133/3. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 900 kg (1,980 lb). Perigee: 768 km (477 mi). Apogee: 804 km (499 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.60 min.
  

• 1990 December 10 - Cosmos 2112 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC133/3. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 900 kg (1,980 lb). Perigee: 764 km (474 mi). Apogee: 807 km (501 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.60 min.
  

• 1991 June 11 - Cosmos 2150 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC133/3. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 900 kg (1,980 lb). Perigee: 778 km (483 mi). Apogee: 805 km (500 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.70 min.
  

• 1992 August 12 - Cosmos 2208 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 900 kg (1,980 lb). Perigee: 785 km (487 mi). Apogee: 803 km (498 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.80 min.
  Still operating in 1995.

• 1993 June 16 - Cosmos 2251 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 900 kg (1,980 lb). Perigee: 778 km (483 mi). Apogee: 803 km (498 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 100.70 min.
  Replaced Cosmos 2112.

• 1994 December 20 - Cosmos 2298 - Program: Strela. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 900 kg (1,980 lb). Perigee: 785 km (487 mi). Apogee: 810 km (500 mi). Inclination: 74.03 deg. Period: 100.83 min.
  Replaced Cosmos 2150. Final operational constellation was Cosmos 2208, 2251, and 2298.