Yantar multi-return

Orlets-2 was a late-model Soviet photo-reconnaissance satellite, to be launched by the Zenit-2 launch vehicle, equipped with 22 return capsules, and have a 180 day design life. Only one was flown after the breakup of the Soviet Union since the prime contractor was in the Ukraine.

Following evaluation of flight trials in April-May 1977 it was concluded that the Yantar-2K was not capable of providing strategic warning of attack. Therefore three additional variants were developed, one of them the wide-spectrum detail and survey satellite Orlets. This featured a panoramic camera and drew on features of an existing draft project designated Yantar-6K. The redesigned spacecraft would be expandable, with Phase 1 (Orlets-1) being launched by the Soyuz-U2 launch vehicle, equipped with 8 film return capsules and having a design life of 60 days. Phase 2 (Orlets-2) would be launched by the much more powerful Zenit launch vehicle, be equipped with 22 return capsules, and had a 180 day design life. The draft project was completed in the late 1980's; Orlets-2 mass mock-ups were used on two Zenit test flights in 1986 and 1987. The manufacturer of the Zenit launch vehicle was in the Ukraine. After the break-up of the Soviet Union this was clearly an undesirable source for launch vehicles for strategically important spacecraft. Furthermore funds dried up. Consequently only a single Orlets-2 flew, as Cosmos 2290 in 1994.

Typical orbit: 190 x 328 km, 64.7 deg inclinaton. Mass: 14,000 kg (30,000 lb). Associated Launch Vehicle: Zenit-2.

• 1977 May 1 - Council of Chief Designers reconsiders Yantar Soviet reconnsat designs -

  Flight trials of the Yantar-2K indicated the satellite was not capable of providing strategic warning of attack. The planned Yantar-6K series, in development since 1969, were overweight and behind schedule. A meeting of the Council of Chief Designers at TsSKB reviewed alternative approaches. It was decided that three variants of the Yantar-2K were to be developed, one of them the high resolution Yantar-4K.

• 1986 October 22 - GVM - Program: Orlets. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Zenit-2. Perigee: 185 km (114 mi). Apogee: 2,501 km (1,554 mi). Inclination: 64.80 deg. Period: 112.53 min.

  Mass model of Orlets-2 reconnaissance satellite.

• 1987 February 14 - Cosmos 1820 - Program: Orlets. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Zenit-2. Mass: 15,000 kg (33,000 lb). Perigee: 178 km (110 mi). Apogee: 250 km (150 mi). Inclination: 64.80 deg. Period: 88.80 min.

  Launch vehicle test. Mass model of Orlets-2 reconnaissance satellite.

• 1994 August 26 - Cosmos 2290 - Program: Orlets. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Zenit-2. Mass: 13,000 kg (28,000 lb). Perigee: 181 km (112 mi). Apogee: 392 km (243 mi). Inclination: 64.80 deg. Period: 90.25 min.

  Only flight of Orlets-2 long-duration military reconnaissance satellite with 22 film-return capsules.

• 2000 September 25 - Cosmos 2372 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Zenit-2. Mass: 12,000 kg (26,000 lb). Perigee: 211 km (131 mi). Apogee: 343 km (213 mi). Inclination: 64.78 deg. Period: 89.97 min. Duration: 269.00 days.

  Reported code name Yenisey. It is speculated that this is an improved version of the Orlets satellite launched as Cosmos 2290 in 1994. Re-entered on Apr 20, 2001 after a 7 month mission.

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