Strela (satellite)
Communications satellite constellation / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Strela (Russian: Стрела, for Arrow) is a Russian (previously Soviet) military communications satellite constellation operating in low Earth orbit. These satellites operate as mailboxes ("store-and-forward"): they remember the received messages and then resend them after the scheduled time, or by a command from the Earth. Some sources state the satellites are capable of only three months of active operation, but through coordination with others[1] they can serve for about five years. The satellites are used for transmission of encrypted messages and images.
Quick Facts Manufacturer, Country of origin ...
Manufacturer | NPO PM |
---|---|
Country of origin | Soviet Union Russia |
Operator | VKS / GRU VKO |
Applications | Military communications |
Specifications | |
Power | 40 watts from solar panels |
Batteries | Nickel hydrogen |
Equipment | UHF transponders (NATO B / D band) Data rate of up to 64 kb/s) |
Regime | Low Earth |
Design life | 5 years |
Production | |
Status | Operational |
Related spacecraft | |
Derivatives | Gonets (civil satellites) |
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