Last Russian Spy Cracked on Orbit
Russia’s only military satellite of optic intelligence, Don, finished its flight and was exploded on the orbit last week. Russian Ministry of Defense does not comment this, while independent experts believe the reason was in the satellite’s technical failures.
Russian satellite Kosmos-2423 ended its existence on Friday night. It was exploded from the Earth. So, 28 pieces of various size appeared after the explosion. The largest piece and two others have already left the orbit and burned down in the Earth’s atmosphere on November 18. The remaining fragments will probably leave the orbit sometime this month.
Kosmos-2423 satellite was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome on September 14, 2006. Independent Russian and foreign experts have immediately identified the satellite by the parameters of its orbit as Don, also known as Orlets-1, used for broadband photo-spying. Don returns film to the Earth in 8 capsules. After all 8 return, the satellite gets exploded from the Earth.
Independent experts say the satellite served an unusually short term, and must have been exploded due to some technical problems on its board. Kosmos-2423 might have had equipment failure, which could have led to losing control of the satellite. So, Don could have left the orbit without control, and its fragments might have crushed onto the Earth, not only causing damage, but also risking to fall into the hands of foreign intelligence services.
Now that Don was exploded, there are no more Russian satellites of optic intelligence on the orbit. So, Russian Ministry of Defense can only use information from the double-purpose satellite Resurs-DK. Don satellites will soon be changed for new-generation Persona satellites, which will transmit photos to the Earth via radio channel. Persona tests are scheduled for 2007.
Konstantin Lantratov, Ivan Safronov
All the Article in Russian as of Nov. 20, 2006
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