Geo-IK-2 N13L (Kosmos 2540)
Rokot/Briz-KM
Russian Space Forces
Mission
Geo-IK-2 N13L (Kosmos 2540)
- Type: Earth Science
- Orbit: Polar Orbit
Geo-IK-2 is a Russian geodesy mission to deliver precise three-dimensional maps of the Earth’s surface and gravitational data for use in scientific studies and military applications. Using GLONASS for accurate positioning data, the 1400kg satellite will operate in a 1000km polar orbit.
Location
133/3 (133L)
Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russian Federation
133/3 (133L) has witnessed the launch of 159 rockets, including 159 orbital launch attempts. While Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russian Federation, has been the site for 1672 rocket launches.
Plesetsk Cosmodrome is a Russian spaceport located in Mirny, Arkhangelsk Oblast, about 800 km north of Moscow and approximately 200 km south of Arkhangelsk. Originally developed as an ICBM site for the R-7 missile, it also served for numerous satellite launches using the R-7 and other rockets. Its high latitude makes it useful only for certain types of launches, especially the Molniya orbits, so for much of the site's history it functioned as a secondary location, with most orbital launches taking place from Baikonur, in the Kazakh SSR. With the end of the Soviet Union, Baikonur became a foreign territory, and Kazakhstan charged $115 million usage fees annually. Consequently, Plesetsk has seen considerably more activity since the 2000s.
Agency
Russian Space Forces
The Russian Space Forces are a branch of the Russian Aerospace Forces, that provides aerospace warning, air sovereignty, and protection for Russia. Having been reestablished following August 1, 2015 merger between the Russian Air Force and the Russian Aerospace Defence Forces after a 2011 dissolving of the branch. The Russian Space Forces were originally formed on August 10, 1992 and the creation of the Russian Armed Forces.
