Strela (satellite): Difference between revisions
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In 2018 austrian counterintelligence authorities uncovered an officer of [[Bundesheer]], Martin M. as russian spy. During the investigation, the Austrian counterintelligence found a small suitcase. It had radio-communication equipment built into it due to Martin M. was able to connect Strela-3 satellites and receive and send encrypted messages. The authorithies also found a list of times when the satellite was positioned over Austria.<ref>{{Cite web|last=tagesschau.de|title=Russische Spionage: Wie im Kalten Krieg|url=https://www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/ndr-wdr/spionage-russland-103.html|access-date=2021-04-13|website=tagesschau.de|language=de}}</ref> |
In 2018 austrian counterintelligence authorities uncovered an officer of [[Bundesheer]], Martin M. as russian spy. During the investigation, the Austrian counterintelligence found a small suitcase. It had radio-communication equipment built into it due to Martin M. was able to connect Strela-3 satellites and receive and send encrypted messages. The authorithies also found a list of times when the satellite was positioned over Austria.<ref>{{Cite web|last=tagesschau.de|title=Russische Spionage: Wie im Kalten Krieg|url=https://www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/ndr-wdr/spionage-russland-103.html|access-date=2021-04-13|website=tagesschau.de|language=de}}</ref> |
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== Technology == |
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Since today (2021) every Strela satellit is active with transmissions on two frequencies. Following observatons were puplished in 2011: On 244.512 MHz a Strela-sattelite generates a 0.5s long 'trigger pulse' every 60 seconds. It is mentioned, that the purpose is to activate ground based transmitters waiting to send a message. Satellites were identified by measuring the time of closest approach from [[Doppler effect|Doppler curve]]. Received messages are then re-transmitted on the second known frequency at 261.035 MHz.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Satellite Radio Frequencies - Strela|url=http://www.zarya.info/Frequencies/FrequenciesStrela.php|access-date=2021-04-14|website=www.zarya.info}}</ref> |
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==Accidents and incidents== |
==Accidents and incidents== |
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Revision as of 13:47, 14 April 2021
| 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) |
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 in accordance with others[1] they can serve for about five years. The satellites are used for transmission of encrypted messages and images.
History
The first three satellites, Kosmos 38 (reentered 8 November 1964), Kosmos 39 (reentered 17 November 1964) and Kosmos 40 (reentered 17 November 1964), were launched on 18 August 1964. Five different types of Strela satellites have been launched, designated Strela-1 (1964-1965), Strela-1M (1970-1992), Strela-2 (1965-1968), Strela-2M (1970-1994), and Strela-3 (1985-2010).[2][3][4][5][6][7] Strela satellites are also used for the civilian Gonets program. The current version of Strela, Strela-3M is also known as Rodnik.[8]
In 2018 austrian counterintelligence authorities uncovered an officer of Bundesheer, Martin M. as russian spy. During the investigation, the Austrian counterintelligence found a small suitcase. It had radio-communication equipment built into it due to Martin M. was able to connect Strela-3 satellites and receive and send encrypted messages. The authorithies also found a list of times when the satellite was positioned over Austria.[9]
Technology
Since today (2021) every Strela satellit is active with transmissions on two frequencies. Following observatons were puplished in 2011: On 244.512 MHz a Strela-sattelite generates a 0.5s long 'trigger pulse' every 60 seconds. It is mentioned, that the purpose is to activate ground based transmitters waiting to send a message. Satellites were identified by measuring the time of closest approach from Doppler curve. Received messages are then re-transmitted on the second known frequency at 261.035 MHz.[10]
Accidents and incidents
- At 16:56 UTC on 10 February 2009, Kosmos 2251, a retired Strela-2M, collided with the operational Iridium 33 satellite.[11]
References
- ^ http://swfound.org/media/6575/swf_iridium_cosmos_collision_fact_sheet_updated_2012.pdf
- ^ "Satellite Catalog Number index (updated Jan 2008)". Jonathan McDowell. Retrieved 12 February 2009.
- ^ "Strela-1 (11F610)". Gunter Dirk Krebs. 30 January 2009. Retrieved 12 February 2009.
- ^ "Strela-1M (11F625)". Gunter Dirk Krebs. 30 January 2009. Retrieved 12 February 2009.
- ^ "Strela-2 (11F610)". Gunter Dirk Krebs. 30 January 2009. Retrieved 12 February 2009.
- ^ "Strela-2M (11F610)". Gunter Dirk Krebs. 30 January 2009. Retrieved 12 February 2009.
- ^ "Strela-3 (17F13)". Gunter Dirk Krebs. 30 January 2009. Retrieved 12 February 2009.
- ^ "Strela-3M (14F132)". Gunter Dirk Krebs. 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
- ^ tagesschau.de. "Russische Spionage: Wie im Kalten Krieg". tagesschau.de (in German). Retrieved 13 April 2021.
- ^ "Satellite Radio Frequencies - Strela". www.zarya.info. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ Iannotta, Becky (11 February 2009). "U.S. Satellite Destroyed in Space Collision". Space.com. Retrieved 11 February 2009.