Kosmos 2556 (Bars-M No. 3)
Soyuz 2.1a
Russian Space Forces
Mission
Kosmos 2556 (Bars-M No. 3)
Type: Government/Top Secret
Launch Cost: $80,000,000
Bars-M is the second incarnation of the Bars project, which was started in the mid 1990ies to develop a successor for the Komtea class of area surveillance satellites. The original Bars project was halted in the early 2000s. In 2007, TsSKB-Progress was contracted for Bars-M, for which reportedly the Yantar-based service module was replaced by a new developed advanced service module.
The Bars-M satellites feature an electro-optical camera system called Karat, which is developed and built by the Leningrad Optical Mechanical Association (LOMO), and a dual laser altimeter instrument to deliver topographic imagery, stereo images, altimeter data and high-resolution images with a ground resolution around 1 meter.
Trajectory
The trajectory is unavailable. Check back for updates.
Location
43/4 (43R)
Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russian Federation
1659 rockets have launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russian Federation.
Rocket
Soyuz 2.1a – Progress Rocket Space Center
- Family: Soyuz
- Length: 46.3 m
- Diameter: 2.95 m
- Launch Mass: 312 T
- Low Earth Orbit Capacity: 7020 kg
The Soyuz 2.1a was manufactured by Progress Rocket Space Center with the first launch on 2004-11-04. Soyuz 2.1a has 36 successful launches and 1 failed launches with a total of 37 launches. The Soyuz 2.1A converted the flight control system from analog to digital, which allowed launch from fixed platforms. It also allowed big fairings and payloads.
Agency
Russian Space Forces – VKS
- Type: Government
- Abbreviation: VKS
- Administration: Commander: Aleksandr Golovko
- Founded: 1992
- Country: RUS
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.
will there be a live telecast of it ?
Thank-you for the notification. Will Roscosmos have a live feed of this launch? If not, there will be a video on roscosmos.tv after the event.
thanks a lot !!
Pity no live webcast its always worthwhile in real time , maybe next time>?