RKK Energia, relying on their experience with the Progress-M and Gamma spacecraft, conceived a new, nearly 10- metric-ton, sun-synchronous satellite with a variety of Earth observation sensors, including a side-looking radar, a television camera, a video spectrometer, and a scanning radiometer. The scientific payload could reach a mass of 1.4 metric tons with an available power of 2 kW. From an operating altitude of 400 to 800 km, the spacecraft would be able to return data directly or via a relay satellite for a period of 3-5 years. If it had been approved, launch by the Zenit booster would not have come until 1996 or later.

Mass: 10,000 kg (22,000 lb). Electrical System: Solar panels.