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Fourth Generation Photo Recons - Yantar

In 1975 the fourth-generation Yantar photo recon spacecraft debuted for the purpose of taking over the high resolution reconnaissance duties of their predecessors. By flying elliptical orbits with perigees typically near 170 km, fourth generation spacecraft can enhance the resolution of their imaging systems. Principal improvements of the original fourth generation satellites included an extended orbital lifetime (initially 30 days; now 60-70 days) and the capability to return small film capsules during the course of the mission without de-orbiting the entire spacecraft.

The spacecraft is approximately 7 m long and 2.4 m maximum diameter with a mass of 6.7 metric tons. Equipped with two solar arrays, Yantar spacecraft are primarily constrained by maneuvering propellant and film reserves. Kosmos 2283 in 1994 set a new endurance record of 71 days on orbit. During 1993 and 1994 three and two high resolution Yantar spacecraft were launched, respectively, but one, Kosmos 2259 (14 July 1993) failed after about ten days in space. All missions during the period (Kosmos 2231, 2240, 2259, 2274, and 2283) were launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome into inclinations of 63 degrees-67 degrees.

Sources and Resources

• Adapted from: Europe and Asia in Space 1993-1994, Nicholas Johnson and David Rodvold [Kaman Sciences / Air Force Phillips Laboratory]

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