Forty-five of the 158 launched communication spacecraft Molniya now remain on the orbits of artificial Earth satellites and 12 of them are expected to end their ballistic existence by 2030, the Interstate Joint-Stock Corporation (MAK) Vympel (part of the concern PVO Almaz-Antei) told Interfax-AVN on Wednesday.

"The first of them, Molniya-3-45, may cease its ballistic existence on January 1, 2014. This date is a tentative one and was obtained based on a study of the trajectory parameters as of March 23, 2013 and may be specified later," MAK Vympel said."

"According to the corporation experts' estimations, 33 of these 45 spacecraft will fall on Earth after 2030 and 12 before 2030," the source said.

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Russian communications satellite. 55 launches, 1974.11.21 (Molniya 3-01) to 2003.06.19 (Molniya 3-53). Development of the Molniya-2M communications satellite, later called Molniya-3, began in 1972. Flight trials began in November 1974.

The Molniya-3 group of four satellites was used to create the Orbita communications system for northern regions of the Soviet Union. The land segment used a 12 m diameter parabolic antenna, pointed automatically at the satellite using autonomous electromechanical equipment. Although primarily for civilian applications, later versions were part of the Soviet YeSSS Unified Satellite Communications System. Trials of this version began in the 1980's, with the system being accepted by the military in 1983-1985.

Molniya-3 used the Segment-3 three-channel repeater (cm-band, 4-6 GHZ). The Molniya 3 spacecraft supported civil communications (domestic and international) while Molniya-1T were used almost exclusively for military communications. Compared to Molniya-1T they had a slightly enhanced electrical power system and a communications payload of three 6/4 GHz transponders with power outputs of 40 W or 80 W. Molniya 3 spacecraft only originated from Plesetsk.

Until 1983 the Molniya 3 constellation consisted of only four satellites, which were essentially co-located with four Molniya 1 satellites. When the Molniya 3 system was expanded to eight vehicles as part of the military's YeSSS system in 1983-1985, the new additions inaugurated the 155 degrees E ascending node geometry. After the restructuring of the Molniya-1T constellations in 1991, the Molniya 1 and 3 systems were essentially the same from a deployment perspective and to some extent provided an inherent backup capability. On the average Molniya-3 spacecraft were replaced slightly less frequently than their Molniya 1 cousins, representing either an extra 5 to 6 months of operational life, or a more casual attitude to having redundant civilian as opposed to military capability.

AKA: Molniya-2M; 11F637. 

Gross mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). 

Height: 4.40 m (14.40 ft). 

Span: 8.20 m (26.90 ft). 

First Launch: 1974.11.21. 

Last Launch: 2003.06.19. 

Number: 55 .

Quelle: Interfax 

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Oko system satellite burns down above Southern Hemisphere

MOSCOW. Dec 22 Updated reports say the Kosmos-2393 satellite integrated in the Oko system, the space component of Russia's early warning system ceased to exist last night, Interfax-AVN was told at the Vympel interstate joint-stock company, which is part of the Almaz-Antei air defense corporation on Sunday.

"According to updated reports of Vympel, the satellite ceased to exist at 1:26 a.m. After entering the atmosphere it started disintegrating, " a spokesperson said.

The U.S. space control system confirmed the early reports from Vympel.

Quelle: INTERFAX