Orlets home
topic index
Program: Orlets. Objective: Surveillance. Type: Military. Overview: Sixth-generation reconnaisance satellite. After returning multiple film capsules, the spacecraft is deorbited.
Major Events:

  • 1986 October 22 - GVM.  Spacecraft: Orlets-2. Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Zenit.

    Mass model of Orlets-2 reconnaissance satellite.

  • 1987 February 14 - Cosmos 1820.  Spacecraft: Orlets-2. Mass: 15,000 kg (33,000 lb). Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Zenit.

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

  • 1989 July 18 - Cosmos 2031.  Spacecraft: Orlets-1. Mass: 6,500 kg (14,300 lb). Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz.

    First launch of Orlets-1 long duration film return military reconnaissance satellite. After returning multiple film capsules, the spacecraft was deorbited.

  • 1990 October 1 - Cosmos 2101.  Spacecraft: Orlets-1. Mass: 6,700 kg (14,700 lb). Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz.

    Long duration film return military reconnaissance satellite. After returning multiple film capsules, the spacecraft was deorbited.

  • 1991 October 9 - Cosmos 2163.  Spacecraft: Orlets-1. Mass: 6,500 kg (14,300 lb). Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz.

    Long duration film return military reconnaissance satellite. After returning multiple film capsules, the spacecraft was deorbited.

  • 1992 December 22 - Cosmos 2225.  Spacecraft: Orlets-1. Mass: 6,500 kg (14,300 lb). Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz.

    Long duration film return military reconnaissance satellite. After returning multiple film capsules, the spacecraft was deorbited.

  • 1993 September 7 - Cosmos 2262.  Spacecraft: Orlets-1. Mass: 6,500 kg (14,300 lb). Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz.

    Long duration film return military reconnaissance satellite. After returning multiple film capsules, the spacecraft was deorbited. First launch that demonstrated doubled operational life.

  • 1994 August 26 - Cosmos 2290.  Spacecraft: Orlets-2. Mass: 13,000 kg (28,000 lb). Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Zenit.

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

  • 1997 May 15 - Cosmos 2343.  Spacecraft: Orlets-1. Mass: 6,500 kg (14,300 lb). Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz.

    Long duration film return military reconnaissance satellite. After returning multiple film capsules, the spacecraft was deorbited. This satellite provided Russia with the photo reconnaisance capability after a break of 7 1/2 months. This launch came on the 40th anniversary of the first successful launch of the R-7 rocket, from which the Soyuz-U was derived. It was the 250th launch of the Soyuz-U from Baikonur, the 350th launch from Launch Complex 31, and the 666th launch of a Soyuz-U.

Contact us with any corrections, additions, or comments.
Conditions for use of drawings, pictures, or other materials from this site..
To contact astronauts or cosmonauts.

© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2008 except where otherwise noted.