A Kosmos-3M carrier rocket (Kosmos 2416 )has successfully launched a Gonets-D1M communications satellite into orbit. The Lift-off of the 48th space mission of the year was at 19:34 GMT. The Gonets satellite has been added to a multi-purpose satellite communications group, which primarily serves Russia's security-related and law enforcement agencies.
The new 500-pound satellite was launched into a high-inclination low circular orbit about (900 miles high) from Plesetsk Cosmodrome on Wednesday, and will help the Russian RosAtom centre to monitor dangerous cargoes according to an official at the Zheleznogorsk-based Reshetnev Applied Mechanics Research and Production Association (RAMA), where the satellite had been developed. The Gonets -M had been developed for the renewal of the multifunctional personal satellite-aided communications system Gonets - D1M at a request of the Federal Space Agency.
The satellites of the Gonets-D1M system are designed to transmit data, telex and facsimile messages, render e-mail services, and relay reports on the location of subscriber terminals by means of the GPS/GLONASS, and pick up data from various kinds of intrusion and fire detectors, environmental sensors, etc. In particular, the Russian Ministries for Emergencies, Transport, and Information Technologies and Telecommunications are among users of the services rendered by the Gonets-D1M system.
"The Rosrybolovstvo (Federal Agency for Fisheries) studies the movement of shoals of fish by means of buoy-mounted sensors. The Unified Energy Systems joint-stock company installs sensors on its substations to monitor the flows of electric power from region to region while the Sakhalin-based environmental company uses sensors mounted on sea buoys" - RAMA official.
The new Federal Space Programme for 2006-2015 envisages the replenishment of the orbital satellite cluster Gonets-D1M with twelve Gonets-M satellites. Beginning from 2006, the RAMA will begin to develop a two-tier system to include low-orbit Gonets satellites of a new type and geostationary ones. Data from low-orbit spacecraft will be transmitted to the Earth via geostationary satellites, which will make it possible to develop communications in a real-time mode. RAMA is one of Russia's leading enterprises in the development and manufacture of space systems for communications, telecasting, navigation, and geodesy. The Association accounts for about 70 percent of the aggregate number of Russian satellites in orbit. Within a space of 45 years, the RAMA has made and deployed into orbits more than 1,200 spacecraft for various purposes.
Kosmos 2416 also carried with it notes written by Russian children describing their hopes for the New Year.
Hum, cannot confirm the launch of the two satellites Gonets D1M1 and Gonets D1M2 on a Kosmos 3M from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome...
UPDATED: The launch of the Kosmos-3 carrier rocket from Russia's Plesetsk Cosmodrome was put off for 24 hours due to a malfunction of the onboard electric power supply system. The carrier rocket was to lift-off off with two satellites at 22:40, Moscow time, Tuesday.
"In the course of the launch sequence performing two seconds before the start the command to transfer to onboard power supply failed and therefore it was decided to put off the launch. According to preliminary opinion of specialists, the onboard battery of the second stage of the carrier rocked failed to switch on. Now the Cosmodrome specialists will have to defuel the rocket, replace the batteries and then perform the launch procedure again" Statement from Cosmodrome official.
A rocket carrying two satellites will be launched from the northern Plesetsk space centre on Tuesday evening (20th December 2005).
"The carrier rocket will orbit the Gonets-1M communications satellite to provide services for security agencies and another satellite ordered by the Defence Ministry whose functions were not specified" - spokesperson for the Russian Federal Space Agency .
Gonets (Messenger) -1M will ensure the rapid transmission of brief messages, e-mail and other kinds of communications. The satellite's service life is slated for seven years and its orbit can be corrected if necessary. Russia's security agencies will use Gonets to improve efficiency and reliability, provide confidential communications, and ensure automated data collection, including on the transportation of hazardous cargoes. Moreover, it will allow the creation of reliable closed-data networks for anti-terrorism purposes.
Russian Insurance Centre, a space insurer, has underwritten the launch, covering third party liability.
The current system comprises 18 satellites in 2 orbital planes, and the system is planned to grow to 36 satellites in 6 orbital planes once the market is established.
