| Gonets-D1 |
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Commercial version of GRU Strela-3 military store-dump satellite. Gonets-D1 was to be deployed in a constellation of 12 satellites (2 planes of 6) between 1996 and 1998. Each satellite had a single simultaneous earth-space and space-earth channel. On-board storage was 12 Mbits of data, with a transmission rate of 2.4 kbit/sec. Two preproduction test spacecraft of slightly different configuration called 'Gonets-D' were flown. A partial D-1 constellation was completed and operated beyond the projected dates of termination. Funding was partially completed for the Mature Gonets system. The Integrated Sat/Com Corporation acquired preliminary licensing of the D-1 Program from Mexico. In 1990 the principal spacecraft developers of the Strela-3 (the Applied Mechanics Scientific Production Association and the Precision Instruments Scientific Production Association) began to market a slightly modified version as a commercial communications relay. Through the SMOLSAT Consortium in Moscow, which also included the Soyuzmedinform Scientific Production Association and an American partner (COSSCASP, later known as Network Services International), the spacecraft were offered to support international health organizations to meet their global communications needs, e.g., the transfer of medical data and records to remote sites. In the commercial variant, the satellites, known as Gonets (Messenger), were capable of store-dump communications on 2-3 channels in the 2004-400 MHz band with a transmitter output power of 10 W. The 250-kg Gonets were to be deployed at 1,350 km at 82.5 degrees, similar to the Strela-3 satellites, but distributed among six orbital planes for a total constellation of 36 spacecraft. This infrastructure would ensure a mean communication waiting time of less than 20 minutes with more than 80% probability. Attitude control was achieved through gravity-gradient stabilization. The electrical power system, provided by solar cells and nickel-hydrogen batteries, provided an average 40 W for the payload which was designed to operate for five years.
Data transmission rates available include 2.4 kbits/s, 9.6 kbit/s, and 64 kbit/s with an onboard storage capacity of 8 Mbytes. A handheld user terminal (UT-P) resembles a cellular phone and weighs only 1-3 kg. Two demonstration Gonets (Gonets D) satellites were included in the Cosmos 2197-2202 mission (Cosmos 2199 and Cosmos 2201) and were tested successfully during 1992. Three additional Gonets D spacecraft were scheduled for launch in 1993, but did not appear. Typical orbit: 1407 km x 1416 km at 83 degrees inclination. Mass: 233 kg (513 lb). Associated Launch Vehicle: Tsyklon 3. Gonets-D1 Chronology
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