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Elektron-A

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Elektron-A

AKA: 2D. Status: Operational 1964. First Launch: 1964-01-30. Last Launch: 1964-07-10. Number: 2 . Gross mass: 340 kg (740 lb).

The two spacecraft were designed to be deployed in a single launch of a Vostok booster. The spacecraft had the specific task of mapping the Van Allen radiation belts at higher inclinations than that achieved by US satellites of the time (60 degrees vs 30 degrees latitude). Decrees authorizing design and building of the Elektrons were issued on 9 May 1960 and 13 May 1961. Design work began in July 1960. Elektron A, with a design mass of 350 kg, was 325 mm in diameter and was designed to be placed in a 425 km x 6,000 km orbit and map the inner Van Allen belt, simultaneous with Elektron B's study of the outer radiation belt. The spacecraft also measured cosmic rays and the upper atmosphere.

Family: Earth, Magnetosphere sat. Country: Russia. Launch Vehicles: R-7, Vostok 8K72K. Projects: Elektron. Launch Sites: Baikonur, Baikonur LC1. Agency: Korolev bureau. More at: 12314. Bibliography: 175, 2, 21, 474, 6.

Photo Gallery

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Elektron 1 Credit: Manufacturer Image

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• Elektron satellite approved. - . Nation: Russia. Spacecraft: Elektron-A, Elektron-B.

  Central Committee of the Communist Party and Council of Soviet Ministers Decree 'On approval of work on the Elektron scientific satellite' was issued. The two spacecraft were designed to be deployed in a single launch of a Vostok booster. The spacecraft had the specific task of mapping the Van Alen radiation belts at higher inclinations than that achieved by US satellites of the time (60 degrees vs 30 degrees latitude). Design work began in July 1960.

• Soviet response to Apollo program - . Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Chelomei. Spacecraft: Elektron-A, Elektron-B, Kosmoplan, LK-1, Raketoplan.

  Soviet Decree 'On the Revision of Plans for Space Objects for Accomplishing Goals of Defence Designations--heavy boosters, course of work on Elektron, and suspension of work of work on the Kosmoplan and Raketoplan with continuation of new Raketoplan work' was issued. The decree set the end of 1965 as the date for the first launch of the N1. It also authorised Chelomei to stop work on Kosmoplan interplanetary probes and instead concentrate on a specific Raketoplan design - the LK-1 manned lunar flyby spacecraft.

• Elektron 1 - . Payload: 2D s/n 1. Mass: 329 kg (725 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev Design Bureau. Program: Elektron. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Elektron-A. Spacecraft: Elektron-A. USAF Sat Cat: 746 . COSPAR: 1964-006A. Apogee: 6,439 km (4,001 mi). Perigee: 413 km (256 mi). Inclination: 60.9000 deg. Period: 161.00 min.

  Studied inner Van Allen belt. Electron I and II launched by a single carrier rocket. Electron I: simultaneous study of the Earth's inner and outer radiation belts, cosmic rays and upper atmosphere. Electron II: simultaneous study of the Earth's inner and outer radiation belts, cosmic rays and outer space.

• Elektron 3 - . Payload: 2D s/n 3. Mass: 350 kg (770 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: Korolev Design Bureau. Program: Elektron. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Elektron-A. Spacecraft: Elektron-A. USAF Sat Cat: 829 . COSPAR: 1964-038A. Apogee: 6,302 km (3,915 mi). Perigee: 408 km (253 mi). Inclination: 60.9000 deg. Period: 159.30 min. Studied inner Van Allen belt. Electron 3 and 4 launched by a single carrier rocket. Simultaneous study of the inner and outer radiation belts of the earth, cosmic rays and the upper atmosphere. .