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Kondor

Spacecraft · Russia

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

Payload Mockup
Payload Mockup
Credit: Manufacturer Image

Russian communications satellite. Study 1997. The Khrunichev State Space Research and Production Center (including the Salyut Design Bureau), proposed the Kondor communications system for mobile users.

This 4-satellite system would be based on 2.5-2.6 metric ton spacecraft with 3.2 kW electrical power systems. The communications payload could have a mass of up to 500 kg and power of up to 1.5 kW. The transponders would be of the L-band and C-band types and INMARSAT-compatible. The L-band transponders would be high power (200-250 W) and be linked to two 6-m diameter antennas. A specific start date for Kondor operations was never given, but in 1994 initial activities were said to be possible during 1995-1997. No funding was forthcoming.

Electric System: 3.20 average kW.

More at: Kondor.

Country
Russia
Launch Sites
Baikonur LC175/2
Bibliography
6635, 12741, 12742

Chronology

2 events

2013 June 27

16:53 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC175/2. LV Family: UR-100N. Launch Vehicle: Strela launch vehicle.
  • Cosmos 2487 - . Mass: 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Nation: Russia. Class: Earth. Type: Civilian Radarsat. Spacecraft: Kondor. USAF Sat Cat: 39194 . COSPAR: 2013-032A. Apogee: 501 km (311 mi). Perigee: 497 km (308 mi). Inclination: 74.73 deg. Period: 94.60 min.

    First Kondor satellite, part of a new system of optical and radar military surveillance satellites; payload on this mission reportedly an S-band synthetic apperture radar with a swath width of 10 km and ground resolution of 1 m in spotlight mode, 3 m in stripmap mode, and 5-30 m in ScanSAR mode.

2014 December 19

04:43 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC175/2. Launch Pad: Baikonur LC175. LV Family: UR-100N. Launch Vehicle: Strela launch vehicle.
  • Kondor-E No. 2 - . Mass: 1,100 kg (2,400 lb). Nation: South Africa. Class: Surveillance. Type: Civilian Radarsat. Spacecraft: Kondor. USAF Sat Cat: 40353 . COSPAR: 2014-084A. Apogee: 484 km (300 mi). Perigee: 481 km (298 mi). Inclination: 74.75 deg. Period: 94.26 min. Second Kondor radar imaging satellite built by NPO Mashinostroenie (Moscow/Reutov)This satellite was the export version of the spacecraft and was reportedly sold to the Defense Intelligence organization of the South African National Defense Force..