Strela (satellite)

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Strela (satellite)
Organisation VKS/GRU
Major contractors NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki
Mission type Communication
Carrier Rocket Kosmos-2I
Kosmos-3
Kosmos-3M
Tsyklon-3
Launch Site Plesetsk Cosmodrome
Mission duration 5 years
Power 40 Watts from solar panels
Batteries Nickel/Hydrogen
Orbital elements
Regime LEO
Inclination 82.6°
Apoapsis 1414 kilometres
Periapsis 1400 kilometres
Instruments
Spectral Band UHF
NATO B/D-band
Data Rate Up to 64kb/s

Strela is a Russian (previously Soviet) military communications satellite constellation operating in low Earth orbit. The first three satellites, Kosmos-38, Kosmos-39 and Kosmos-40, were launched on 18 August 1964. Five different types of Strela satellites have been launched, designated Strela-1, Strela-1M, Strela-2, Strela-2M and Strela-3. Strela satellites are also used for the civilian Gonets programme.

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