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Etalon

Spacecraft · Russia

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

Etalon
Etalon

Russian earth geodetic satellite. Passive geodetic satellites, 1415 kg, 1.294 m in diameter, covered with 306 antenna arrays, each with 14 corner cubes for laser reflection. Geodesy satellite, Russia. Launched 1989.

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.

More at: Etalon.

Related

Country
Russia
Launch Vehicles
Proton, Proton-K/DM-2
Bibliography
119, 2, 274, 445, 6, 67

Photo Gallery

  • Etalon 1
    Etalon 1
    Credit: Manufacturer Image

Chronology

2 events

1989 January 10

02:05 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC200/39. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/DM-2.
  • Cosmos 1989 - . Payload: Etalon PKA s/n 1L. Mass: 1,415 kg (3,119 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MOM. Class: Earth. Type: Geodetic satellite. Spacecraft: Etalon. USAF Sat Cat: 19751 . COSPAR: 1989-001C. Apogee: 19,152 km (11,900 mi). Perigee: 19,097 km (11,866 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

08:31 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC200/40. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K/DM-2.
  • Cosmos 2024 - . Payload: Etalon PKA s/n 2L. Mass: 1,415 kg (3,119 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MOM. Class: Earth. Type: Geodetic satellite. Spacecraft: Etalon. USAF Sat Cat: 20026 . COSPAR: 1989-039C. Apogee: 19,146 km (11,896 mi). Perigee: 19,095 km (11,865 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. .