The Lavochkin NPO proposed the Nord highly elliptical communications systems in 1992. Nord was described as a 4-satellite network of 2,300-kg spacecraft launched by the Rus booster. The 3-axis-stabilized spacecraft were to be based on military spacecraft, a short cylindrical bus with two S-shaped solar arrays The 600-kg payload was to service both fixed and mobile users and be in orbit by 1994-1995.