Fram

The Zenit-4MKT / Fram was an adaptation of the recoverable Vostok spacecraft for reconnaissance/remote sensing missions. The spacecraft was equipped with the Priroda-3 camera, which took multi-spectral photographs on black and white and spectro-zonal film.

Decrees of 21 December 1972 started work on this replacement to the Meteor-Priroda system. The project was managed by the State Centre Priroda of the Main Directorate of Geodesy and Cartography of he Soviet Ministers. Kozlov was the General Designer. The camera was built by the Krasnogorsk Mechanical Factory of the Ministry of Defense. Head of the project government commission was Yu P Kienkoof. Film resolution was 20-30 m black and white, 30 to 50 m multispectral. Swath width 180 km; total area of 17 square million km covered per mission. Typical orbital profile: inclination 81.3 degrees, 220-262 km altitude; inclination 82.3 degrees, 215-252 km altitude. Transmission frequencies observed in West: 19.989 FSK; 39.978 FSK; 232.0 PPM-AM.

Design Life: 13 days. Typical orbit: 210-229 km x 255-275 km at 82 degrees inclination. Mass: 6,100 kg (13,400 lb). Spacecraft delta v: 42 m/s (137 ft/sec). Associated Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U.

• 1972 December 21 - Zenit-4MKT authorised -

  Decree of 21 December 1972 started work on this replacement to the Meteor-Priroda system. The spacecraft was an adaptation of the recoverable Zenit/Vostok spacecraft for remote sensing.

• 1975 September 25 - Cosmos 771 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 203 km (126 mi). Apogee: 219 km (136 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 88.70 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1976 May 21 - Cosmos 820 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 209 km (129 mi). Apogee: 217 km (134 mi). Inclination: 81.40 deg. Period: 88.80 min. Duration: 12.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1976 October 4 - Zenit-4MKT no. 3 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. FAILURE: Launch vehicle destroyed at T+95 seconds. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb).

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1977 May 26 - Cosmos 912 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 217 km (134 mi). Apogee: 225 km (139 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 88.90 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1977 September 2 - Cosmos 948 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 217 km (134 mi). Apogee: 235 km (146 mi). Inclination: 81.40 deg. Period: 89.00 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1978 May 23 - Cosmos 1010 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 217 km (134 mi). Apogee: 230 km (140 mi). Inclination: 81.40 deg. Period: 89.00 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1978 October 3 - Cosmos 1033 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 212 km (131 mi). Apogee: 231 km (143 mi). Inclination: 81.40 deg. Period: 89.00 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1979 August 21 - Cosmos 1123 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 211 km (131 mi). Apogee: 236 km (146 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 88.90 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1979 July 13 - Cosmos 1115 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 217 km (134 mi). Apogee: 235 km (146 mi). Inclination: 81.40 deg. Period: 89.00 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1979 June 22 - Cosmos 1108 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 214 km (132 mi). Apogee: 245 km (152 mi). Inclination: 81.30 deg. Period: 89.10 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1979 June 8 - Cosmos 1105 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 212 km (131 mi). Apogee: 254 km (157 mi). Inclination: 81.40 deg. Period: 89.20 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1979 May 17 - Cosmos 1099 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 215 km (133 mi). Apogee: 247 km (153 mi). Inclination: 81.40 deg. Period: 89.10 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1980 August 22 - Cosmos 1207 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 211 km (131 mi). Apogee: 256 km (159 mi). Inclination: 82.30 deg. Period: 89.20 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1980 July 15 - Cosmos 1201 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 213 km (132 mi). Apogee: 243 km (150 mi). Inclination: 82.30 deg. Period: 89.10 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1980 May 23 - Cosmos 1182 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 211 km (131 mi). Apogee: 251 km (155 mi). Inclination: 82.30 deg. Period: 89.10 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1980 September 26 - Cosmos 1212 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 244 km (151 mi). Inclination: 82.30 deg. Period: 88.90 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1981 June 16 - Cosmos 1276 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 211 km (131 mi). Apogee: 233 km (144 mi). Inclination: 82.40 deg. Period: 88.90 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1981 May 22 - Cosmos 1273 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 258 km (160 mi). Inclination: 82.30 deg. Period: 89.10 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1981 October 9 - Cosmos 1314 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 209 km (129 mi). Apogee: 223 km (138 mi). Inclination: 82.30 deg. Period: 88.90 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1982 April 23 - Cosmos 1353 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 207 km (128 mi). Apogee: 238 km (147 mi). Inclination: 82.40 deg. Period: 89.00 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1982 July 13 - Cosmos 1387 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 201 km (124 mi). Apogee: 229 km (142 mi). Inclination: 82.30 deg. Period: 88.80 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1982 September 8 - Cosmos 1406 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 208 km (129 mi). Apogee: 227 km (141 mi). Inclination: 82.30 deg. Period: 88.80 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1983 April 28 - Cosmos 1458 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 208 km (129 mi). Apogee: 243 km (150 mi). Inclination: 82.30 deg. Period: 89.00 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1983 September 3 - Cosmos 1495 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 205 km (127 mi). Apogee: 221 km (137 mi). Inclination: 82.30 deg. Period: 88.80 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1984 May 22 - Cosmos 1557 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 208 km (129 mi). Apogee: 245 km (152 mi). Inclination: 82.30 deg. Period: 89.00 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1984 September 13 - Cosmos 1597 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 208 km (129 mi). Apogee: 241 km (149 mi). Inclination: 82.30 deg. Period: 89.00 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• 1985 September 6 - Cosmos 1681 - Program: Resurs. Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511U. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Perigee: 206 km (128 mi). Apogee: 225 km (139 mi). Inclination: 82.30 deg. Period: 88.80 min. Duration: 13.00 days.

  Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation.

• USAF Satellite Database, USAF Institute of Technology, 1995. Accessed at: ftp://archive.afit.af.mil/pub/space/.

• McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.

• JPL Mission and Spacecraft Library, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1997. Accessed at: http://msl.jpl.nasa.gov/home.html.

• Isakowitz, Steven J,, International Reference to Space Launch Systems Second Edition, AIAA, Washington DC, 1991 (succeeded by 2000 edition). ISBN: 1563473534. Superseded by the later editions. More at amazon.com...

• Voevodin, Sergey A, VSA072 - Space Apparatus, "Sergey A. Voevodin's Reports", . Accessed at: http://home.attbi.com/~rusaerog/spacecraft.html.

• Novosti Kosmonavtiki, "Apparati TsSKB dlya issledobanniya prirodnikh resursov Zemli", 1996, Issue 6, page 40.

• Grahn, Sven, Sven Grahn's Space History Pages, . Sven Grahn's occasional essays on specific topics of the Russian and Chinese space programs are outstanding. Accessed at: http://www.svengrahn.pp.se/.

• Kozlov, D I, Konstruirovanie avtomaticheskikh kosmicheskikh apparatov, Mashnostroenie, Moscow, 1996. ISBN: 521702657X. Technical account of the design of unmanned spacecraft by the Soviet Union's chief designer for reconnaisance satellites. More at amazon.com...

• Melnik, T G, Voenno-Kosmicheskiy Siliy, Nauka, Moscow, 1997.. Two-volume official history of the (now defunct) Russin space forces.