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{{Short description|Soviet (now Russian) satellite-based early warning system for ballistic missiles}}
{{other uses}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2021}}
'''Oko''' ({{lang-ru|Око}} meaning ''Eye'' in old Russian),<ref group="note">also known as '''SPRN''' ({{lang-ru|СПРН}} from ''спутник для предупреждения о ракетном нападении'' meaning ''satellite for warning on rocket attack'') according to one source, but SPRN is more commonly used to describe the whole early warning system, ''система предупреждения о ракетном нападении'' (system of missile warning), which includes Oko but also includes early warning radar.</ref> is a [[Russia]]n (previously [[Soviet Union|Soviet]]) missile defence [[early warning]] programme consisting of [[satellite]]s in [[molniya orbit|Molniya]] and [[geosynchronous orbit]]s. Oko satellites are used to identify launches of [[ballistic missile]]s by detection of their engines' exhaust plume in [[infrared]] light, and complement other early warning facilities such as [[voronezh radar|Voronezh]], [[daryal radar|Daryal]] and [[Dnepr radar]]s. The information provided by these sensors can be used for the [[A-135 anti-ballistic missile system]] which defends Moscow. The satellites are run by the [[Russian Aerospace Forces]], and previously the [[Russian Aerospace Defence Forces]] and [[Russian Space Forces]]. As of December 2015, it is being replaced by the new [[EKS (satellite)|EKS]] system.<ref name="eks-launch2">{{cite web|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/11/soyuz-2-1b-eks-1-russian-early-warning-system/|title=Soyuz 2-1B launches EKS-1 to upgrade Russian Early Warning System|accessdate=2015-12-17}}</ref>
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}


'''Oko''' (Old {{langx|ru|Око|lit=Eye}}){{efn|Also known as '''SPRN''' ({{lang|ru|СПРН}}, from {{langx|ru|спутник для предупреждения о ракетном нападении|lit=satellite for warning on rocket attack|links=no}}) according to one source, but SPRN is more commonly used to describe the whole early warning system, {{lang|ru|система предупреждения о ракетном нападении}} (system of missile warning), which includes Oko but also includes early warning radar.}} is a Russian (previously [[Soviet Union|Soviet]]) missile defence [[early warning]] programme consisting of [[satellite]]s in [[Molniya orbit|Molniya]] and [[geosynchronous orbit]]s. Oko satellites are used to identify launches of [[ballistic missile]]s by detection of their engines' exhaust plume in [[infrared]] light, and complement other early warning facilities such as [[voronezh radar|Voronezh]], [[daryal radar|Daryal]] and [[Dnepr radar]]s. The information provided by these sensors can be used for the [[A-135 anti-ballistic missile system]] which defends [[Moscow]]. The satellites are run by the [[Russian Aerospace Forces]], and previously the [[Russian Aerospace Defence Forces]] and [[Russian Space Forces]]. Since November 2015, it is being replaced by the new [[EKS (satellite)|EKS]] system.<ref name="eks-launch2">{{cite web|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/11/soyuz-2-1b-eks-1-russian-early-warning-system/|title=Soyuz 2-1B launches EKS-1 to upgrade Russian Early Warning System|date=17 November 2015|access-date=2015-12-17|archive-date=2015-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220074647/http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/11/soyuz-2-1b-eks-1-russian-early-warning-system/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
==History==

== History ==
Development of the Oko system began in the early 1970s under the design bureau headed by AI Savin, which became [[TsNII Kometa]]. The spacecraft element was designed by [[NPO Lavochkin]].<ref name="Podvig-History"/> The first satellite was launched in 1972 <ref name="RSW"/> but it was not until 1978 that the overall system became operational and 1982 before it was placed on combat duty.<ref name="Podvig-History"/> The system had a [[1983 Soviet nuclear false alarm incident|major malfunction in 1983]] when it mistakenly identified sunlight on high altitude clouds as a missile attack. [[Stanislav Petrov]], on duty at the new control centre in [[Serpukhov-15]], [[Moscow Oblast]], discounted the warning due to the newness of the system and the lack of corroboration from ground-based radar.<ref name="falsealarm"/>
Development of the Oko system began in the early 1970s under the design bureau headed by AI Savin, which became [[TsNII Kometa]]. The spacecraft element was designed by [[NPO Lavochkin]].<ref name="Podvig-History"/> The first satellite was launched in 1972 <ref name="RSW"/> but it was not until 1978 that the overall system became operational and 1982 before it was placed on combat duty.<ref name="Podvig-History"/> The system had a [[1983 Soviet nuclear false alarm incident|major malfunction in 1983]] when it mistakenly identified sunlight on high altitude clouds as a missile attack. [[Stanislav Petrov]], on duty at the new control centre in [[Serpukhov-15]], [[Moscow Oblast]], discounted the warning due to the newness of the system and the lack of corroboration from ground-based radar.<ref name="falsealarm"/>


The vast majority of the satellites launched (86 out of 100 as of March 2012 <ref name="gunther-usk"/>) have been the first generation [[US-K]] satellites which operate in [[molniya orbit]]s. Seven first generation satellites were launched into [[geosynchronous orbit]]s, called [[US-KS]], starting in 1975.<ref name="gunther-us"/> A decree of 3 September 1979 led to the creation of the second generation satellites [[US-KMO]] which had their first launch in 1991.<ref name="Podvig-History"/> In total, [[List of Oko satellites|101 satellites have been launched]].
The vast majority of the satellites launched (86 out of 100 as of March 2012 <ref name="gunther-usk"/>) have been the first generation [[US-K]] satellites which operate in [[molniya orbit]]s. Seven first generation satellites were launched into geosynchronous orbits, called [[US-KS]], starting in 1975.<ref name="gunther-us"/> A decree of 3 September 1979 led to the creation of the second generation satellites [[US-KMO]] which had their first launch in 1991.<ref name="Podvig-History"/> In total, [[List of Oko satellites|101 satellites have been launched]].


The US-K satellites, were launched by [[Molniya-M]] carrier rockets with [[Blok 2BL]] upper stages from [[Plesetsk Cosmodrome]]. The US-KS and US-KMO operate in geosynchronous orbits and were launched by [[Proton (rocket)|Proton]] rockets with [[Block D|DM-2]] upper stages from [[Baikonur Cosmodrome|Baikonur]].<ref name="gunther-usk"/><ref name="gunther-kmo"/>
The US-K satellites, were launched by [[Molniya-M]] [[launch vehicle]]s with [[Blok 2BL]] upper stages from [[Plesetsk Cosmodrome]]. The US-KS and US-KMO operate in geosynchronous orbits and were launched by [[Proton (rocket)|Proton]] with [[Block D|DM-2]] upper stages from [[Baikonur Cosmodrome|Baikonur]].<ref name="gunther-usk"/><ref name="gunther-kmo"/>


The last US-KMO satellite ([[Kosmos 2479]]) was launched on 30 March 2012 <ref name="k2479"/> and the last US-K satellite ([[Kosmos 2469]]) on 30 September 2010.<ref name="lastHEO"/> They are due to be replaced by a new system called [[EKS (satellite)|EKS]].
The last US-KMO satellite ([[Kosmos 2479]]) was launched on 30 March 2012 <ref name="k2479"/> and the last US-K satellite ([[Kosmos 2469]]) on 30 September 2010.<ref name="lastHEO"/> They are due to be replaced by a new system called [[EKS (satellite)|EKS]].


==Facilities==
==Debris==
The system has two dedicated control centres. The western centre is at [[Serpukhov-15]] ({{lang-rus|Серпухов-15}}) near Kurilovo outside Moscow <ref name="SovArmed"/> ({{coord|55|04|06|N|37|02|29|E|name=Serpukhov-15 Oko satellites control centre|display=inline}}) and the eastern centre is at [[Pivan-1]] ({{lang-rus|Пивань-1}}) <ref name="SovArmed2"/> ({{coord|50|20|57|N|137|11|22|E|name=Pivan-1 Oko satellites control centre|display=inline}}) in the Russian Far East. The centre at Serpukhov-15 burned down in 2001 <ref name="Kommersant"/><ref name="BBC"/> which caused the loss of contact with currently orbiting satellites.<ref name="paleologue"/>


The first generation Molniya-type orbit Oko satellites launched between 1976 and 1983 were prone to disintegration, resulting in extensive [[space debris]]. The reason they broke up was because they each carried an on-board explosive charge that would be used to destroy the satellite in the case of a malfunction. Unfortunately, control of the explosive charge was itself unreliable and it would often explode, rendering the satellite inoperative, while it was still under control. The design was eventually changed, and the explosive charge in [[Kosmos 1481]] was the last to explode early.<ref name="soviet">{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Phillip |title=SPACE DEBRIS INCIDENTS INVOLVING SOVIET/RUSSIAN LAUNCHES |url=http://www.friends-partners.org/oldfriends/jgreen/bispaper.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025015944/http://www.friends-partners.org/oldfriends/jgreen/bispaper.html |access-date=7 February 2023|archive-date=25 October 2021 }}</ref>
==See also==

== Facilities ==
The system has two dedicated control centres. The western centre is at [[Serpukhov-15]] ({{lang-rus|Серпухов-15}}) near [[Kurilovo, Kaluga Oblast|Kurilovo]] outside Moscow <ref name="SovArmed"/> ({{coord|55|04|06|N|37|02|29|E|name=Serpukhov-15 Oko satellites control centre|display=inline}}) and the eastern centre is at [[Pivan-1]] ({{lang-rus|Пивань-1}}) <ref name="SovArmed2"/> ({{coord|50|20|57|N|137|11|22|E|name=Pivan-1 Oko satellites control centre|display=inline}}) in the Russian Far East. The centre at Serpukhov-15 burned down in 2001 <ref name="Kommersant"/><ref name="BBC"/> which caused the loss of contact with currently orbiting satellites.<ref name="paleologue"/>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
* [[Defense Support Program]]
* [[Defense Support Program]]
* [[Space-Based Infrared System]]
* [[Space-Based Infrared System]]
* [[EKS (satellite system)|EKS]], the new system replacing the entire Oko programme.
* [[EKS (satellite system)|EKS]], the new system replacing the entire Oko program.

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em|refs=

<ref name="RSW">{{cite web|url=http://www.russianspaceweb.com/oko.html|title=Oko early-warning satellite|last=Zak|first=Anatoly|publisher=RussianSpaceWeb.com|access-date=5 March 2012|archive-date=1 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201031206/http://www.russianspaceweb.com/oko.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="gunther-usk">{{cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/us-k.htm|title=US-K (73D6)|first=Gunter|last=Krebs|work=Gunter's Space Page|access-date=5 March 2012|archive-date=11 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511170555/http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/us-k.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="gunther-us">{{cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/us-ks.htm|title=US-KS (74Kh6)|first=Gunter|last=Krebs|work=Gunter's Space Page|access-date=5 March 2012|archive-date=17 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117160244/http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/us-ks.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="gunther-kmo">{{cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/us-kmo.htm|title=US-KMO (71Kh6)|first=Gunter|last=Krebs|work=Gunter's Space Page|access-date=5 March 2012|archive-date=12 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012001134/http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/us-kmo.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Podvig-History">{{cite journal|first=Pavel|last=Podvig|year=2002|title=History and the Current Status of the Russian Early-Warning System|journal=Science and Global Security|volume=10|issue=1|pages=21–60 |issn=0892-9882|doi=10.1080/08929880212328|bibcode=2002S&GS...10...21P|url=http://iis-db.stanford.edu/pubs/20734/Podvig-S&GS.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315024323/http://iis-db.stanford.edu/pubs/20734/Podvig-S%26GS.pdf|archive-date=2012-03-15|citeseerx=10.1.1.692.6127|s2cid=122901563}}</ref>

<ref name="k2479">{{cite journal|url=http://russianforces.org/blog/2012/03/cosmos-2479_-_the_last_geostat.shtml|title=Kosmos 2479 - new geostationary early warning satellite|journal=Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces|first=Podvig|last=Pavel|date=2012-03-30|access-date=2012-04-22|archive-date=2012-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503140922/http://russianforces.org/blog/2012/03/cosmos-2479_-_the_last_geostat.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>


<ref name="lastHEO">{{cite journal|url=http://russianforces.org/blog/2010/09/cosmos-2469_might_be_the_last.shtml|title=Kosmos 2469 might be the last HEO early-warning satellite|journal=Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces|first=Podvig|last=Pavel|date=2010-09-30|access-date=2012-04-22|archive-date=2012-03-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309043643/http://russianforces.org/blog/2010/09/cosmos-2469_might_be_the_last.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=note}}


<ref name="SovArmed">{{cite web|url=http://www.ww2.dk/new/pvo/radar/916ortu.htm|title=916th independent Radio-Technical Unit|access-date=2012-04-22|first=Michael|last=Holm|year=2011|publisher=Soviet Armed Forces 1945-1991|archive-date=2015-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009123601/http://www.ww2.dk/new/pvo/radar/916ortu.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
==References==
<references>
<ref name="RSW">{{cite web|url=http://www.russianspaceweb.com/oko.html|title=Oko early-warning satellite|last=Zak|first=Anatoly|work=RussianSpaceWeb|accessdate=5 March 2012}}</ref>
<ref name="gunther-usk">{{cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/us-k.htm|title=US-K (73D6)|first=Gunter|last=Krebs|work=Gunter's Space Page|accessdate=5 March 2012}}</ref>
<ref name="gunther-us">{{cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/us-ks.htm|title=US-KS (74Kh6)|first=Gunter|last=Krebs|work=Gunter's Space Page|accessdate=5 March 2012}}</ref>
<ref name="gunther-kmo">{{cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/us-kmo.htm|title=US-KMO (71Kh6)|first=Gunter|last=Krebs|work=Gunter's Space Page|accessdate=5 March 2012}}</ref>
<ref name="Podvig-History">
{{Cite journal
|first = Pavel
|last = Podvig
|year = 2002
|title = History and the Current Status of the Russian Early-Warning System
|journal = Science and Global Security
|volume = 10
|pages = 21–60
|format = pdf
|issn = 0892-9882
|doi = 10.1080/08929880212328
|url = http://iis-db.stanford.edu/pubs/20734/Podvig-S&GS.pdf
|deadurl = yes
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120315024323/http://iis-db.stanford.edu/pubs/20734/Podvig-S%26GS.pdf
|archivedate = 2012-03-15
|df =
}}</ref>
<ref name="k2479">{{cite web|url=http://russianforces.org/blog/2012/03/cosmos-2479_-_the_last_geostat.shtml|title=Cosmos-2479 - new geostationary early warning satellite|publisher=Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces|first=Podvig|last=Pavel|date=2012-03-30|accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref>


<ref name="SovArmed2">{{cite web|url=http://www.ww2.dk/new/pvo/radar/1127ortu.htm|title=1127th independent Radio-Technical Unit|access-date=2012-04-22|first=Michael|last=Holm|year=2011|publisher=Soviet Armed Forces 1945-1991|archive-date=2015-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009124141/http://www.ww2.dk/new/pvo/radar/1127ortu.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="lastHEO">{{cite web|url=http://russianforces.org/blog/2010/09/cosmos-2469_might_be_the_last.shtml|title=Cosmos-2469 might be the last HEO early-warning satellite|publisher=Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces|first=Podvig|last=Pavel|date=2010-09-30|accessdate=2012-04-22}}</ref>


<ref name="Kommersant">{{cite web|url=http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/264323|title=У России проблемы с ПРО: Она сгорела|trans-title=Russia has an ABM problem: it burnt down|access-date=2012-04-23|date=11 May 2001
<ref name="SovArmed">{{Cite web
|first1=Sergey|last1=Topol|first2=Ivan|last2=Safranov|publisher=Kommersant|archive-date=2014-10-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020130918/http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/264323|url-status=live}}</ref>
| url = http://www.ww2.dk/new/pvo/radar/916ortu.htm
| title = 916th independent Radio-Technical Unit
| accessdate = 2012-04-22
| first = Michael
| last = Holm
| year = 2011
| publisher = Soviet Armed Forces 1945-1991
}}</ref>


<ref name="BBC">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1322700.stm|title=Russia blaze hits satellite network|access-date=2012-04-23|date=2001-05-10|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=2004-07-28
<ref name="SovArmed2">{{Cite web
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040728202037/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1322700.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
| url = http://www.ww2.dk/new/pvo/radar/1127ortu.htm
| title = 1127th independent Radio-Technical Unit
| accessdate = 2012-04-22
| first = Michael
| last = Holm
| year = 2011
| publisher = Soviet Armed Forces 1945-1991
}}</ref>


<ref name="falsealarm">{{cite journal|first1=Geoffrey|last1=Forden|first2=Pavel|last2=Podvig|first3=Theodore A.|last3=Postol|year=2000|title=False alarm, nuclear danger|journal=IEEE Spectrum|volume=37
<ref name="Kommersant">{{Cite web
|issue=3|pages=31–39|issn=0018-9235|doi=10.1109/6.825657|url=http://russianforces.org/podvig/2000/03/false_alarm_nuclear_danger.shtml|access-date=2012-05-23|archive-date=2015-05-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527075353/http://russianforces.org/podvig/2000/03/false_alarm_nuclear_danger.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
| url = http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/264323
| title = У России проблемы с ПРО: Она сгорела
|trans-title=Russia has an ABM problem: it burnt down
| accessdate = 2012-04-23
| date = 11 May 2001
| first1 = Sergey
| last1 = Topol
|first2 =Ivan
|last2 =Safranov
| authorlink2 = Ivan Safranov
| publisher = [[Kommersant]]
}}</ref>


<ref name="paleologue">{{cite conference|title=Early Warning Satellites in Russia: What past, what state today, what future?|first=A.|last=Paleologue|year=2005|conference=Modeling, Simulation, and Verification of Space-based Systems II|editor=Pejmun Motaghedi|publisher=SPIE|pages=146–157|book-title=Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 5799|doi=10.1117/12.603478}}</ref>
<ref name="BBC">{{Cite web
}}
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1322700.stm
| title = Russia blaze hits satellite network
| accessdate = 2012-04-23
| date = 2001-05-10
| publisher = BBC News
}}</ref>
<ref name="falsealarm">
{{Cite journal
| first = Geoffrey
| last = Forden
| first2=Pavel
| last2=Podvig
| first3=Theodore A
| last3=Postol
| year = 2000
| title = False alarm, nuclear danger
| journal = IEEE Spectrum
| volume = 37
| issue = 3
| pages = 31-39
| issn = 0018-9235
| doi = 10.1109/6.825657
| url = http://russianforces.org/podvig/2000/03/false_alarm_nuclear_danger.shtml
}}</ref>
<ref name="paleologue">{{cite conference |title=Early Warning Satellites in Russia: What past, what state today, what future?|first=A |last=Paleologue|year=2005 |conference=Modeling, Simulation, and Verification of Space-based Systems II | editor =Pejmun Motaghedi|publisher=[[SPIE]]|pages=146–157 |booktitle=Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 5799|isbn= |doi=10.1117/12.603478 }}</ref>
</references>


==External links==
== External links ==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110320091423/http://www.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/content/photogallery/gallery_018/pages/IMG_1301.html Novosti Kosmonavtiki.ru: Kosmos 520 in the Lavochkin Museum]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110320091423/http://www.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/content/photogallery/gallery_018/pages/IMG_1301.html Novosti Kosmonavtiki.ru: Kosmos 520 in the Lavochkin Museum]
**[https://web.archive.org/web/20110320091543/http://www.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/content/photogallery/gallery_018/pages/IMG_1310.html Novosti Kosmonavtiki.ru: telescopes]
** [https://web.archive.org/web/20110320091543/http://www.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/content/photogallery/gallery_018/pages/IMG_1310.html Novosti Kosmonavtiki.ru: telescopes]
**[https://web.archive.org/web/20110320091548/http://www.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/content/photogallery/gallery_018/pages/IMG_1312.html Novosti Kosmonavtiki.ru: infrared telescope]
** [https://web.archive.org/web/20110320091548/http://www.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/content/photogallery/gallery_018/pages/IMG_1312.html Novosti Kosmonavtiki.ru: infrared telescope]
**[https://web.archive.org/web/20110320091456/http://www.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/content/photogallery/gallery_018/pages/IMG_1303.html Novosti Kosmonavtiki.ru: antenna]
** [https://web.archive.org/web/20110320091456/http://www.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/content/photogallery/gallery_018/pages/IMG_1303.html Novosti Kosmonavtiki.ru: antenna]


{{Oko}}
{{Oko}}
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[[Category:Reconnaissance satellites of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Reconnaissance satellites of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Early warning satellites]]
[[Category:Early warning satellites]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1970s]]
[[Category:Spacecraft that broke apart in space]]

Latest revision as of 13:08, 23 October 2024

Oko (Old Russian: Око, lit.'Eye')[a] is a Russian (previously Soviet) missile defence early warning programme consisting of satellites in Molniya and geosynchronous orbits. Oko satellites are used to identify launches of ballistic missiles by detection of their engines' exhaust plume in infrared light, and complement other early warning facilities such as Voronezh, Daryal and Dnepr radars. The information provided by these sensors can be used for the A-135 anti-ballistic missile system which defends Moscow. The satellites are run by the Russian Aerospace Forces, and previously the Russian Aerospace Defence Forces and Russian Space Forces. Since November 2015, it is being replaced by the new EKS system.[1]

History

[edit]

Development of the Oko system began in the early 1970s under the design bureau headed by AI Savin, which became TsNII Kometa. The spacecraft element was designed by NPO Lavochkin.[2] The first satellite was launched in 1972 [3] but it was not until 1978 that the overall system became operational and 1982 before it was placed on combat duty.[2] The system had a major malfunction in 1983 when it mistakenly identified sunlight on high altitude clouds as a missile attack. Stanislav Petrov, on duty at the new control centre in Serpukhov-15, Moscow Oblast, discounted the warning due to the newness of the system and the lack of corroboration from ground-based radar.[4]

The vast majority of the satellites launched (86 out of 100 as of March 2012 [5]) have been the first generation US-K satellites which operate in molniya orbits. Seven first generation satellites were launched into geosynchronous orbits, called US-KS, starting in 1975.[6] A decree of 3 September 1979 led to the creation of the second generation satellites US-KMO which had their first launch in 1991.[2] In total, 101 satellites have been launched.

The US-K satellites, were launched by Molniya-M launch vehicles with Blok 2BL upper stages from Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The US-KS and US-KMO operate in geosynchronous orbits and were launched by Proton with DM-2 upper stages from Baikonur.[5][7]

The last US-KMO satellite (Kosmos 2479) was launched on 30 March 2012 [8] and the last US-K satellite (Kosmos 2469) on 30 September 2010.[9] They are due to be replaced by a new system called EKS.

Debris

[edit]

The first generation Molniya-type orbit Oko satellites launched between 1976 and 1983 were prone to disintegration, resulting in extensive space debris. The reason they broke up was because they each carried an on-board explosive charge that would be used to destroy the satellite in the case of a malfunction. Unfortunately, control of the explosive charge was itself unreliable and it would often explode, rendering the satellite inoperative, while it was still under control. The design was eventually changed, and the explosive charge in Kosmos 1481 was the last to explode early.[10]

Facilities

[edit]

The system has two dedicated control centres. The western centre is at Serpukhov-15 (Russian: Серпухов-15) near Kurilovo outside Moscow [11] (55°04′06″N 37°02′29″E / 55.06833°N 37.04139°E / 55.06833; 37.04139 (Serpukhov-15 Oko satellites control centre)) and the eastern centre is at Pivan-1 (Russian: Пивань-1) [12] (50°20′57″N 137°11′22″E / 50.34917°N 137.18944°E / 50.34917; 137.18944 (Pivan-1 Oko satellites control centre)) in the Russian Far East. The centre at Serpukhov-15 burned down in 2001 [13][14] which caused the loss of contact with currently orbiting satellites.[15]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Also known as SPRN (СПРН, from Russian: спутник для предупреждения о ракетном нападении, lit.'satellite for warning on rocket attack') according to one source, but SPRN is more commonly used to describe the whole early warning system, система предупреждения о ракетном нападении (system of missile warning), which includes Oko but also includes early warning radar.

References

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  1. ^ "Soyuz 2-1B launches EKS-1 to upgrade Russian Early Warning System". 17 November 2015. Archived from the original on 20 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Podvig, Pavel (2002). "History and the Current Status of the Russian Early-Warning System" (PDF). Science and Global Security. 10 (1): 21–60. Bibcode:2002S&GS...10...21P. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.692.6127. doi:10.1080/08929880212328. ISSN 0892-9882. S2CID 122901563. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 March 2012.
  3. ^ Zak, Anatoly. "Oko early-warning satellite". RussianSpaceWeb.com. Archived from the original on 1 February 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  4. ^ Forden, Geoffrey; Podvig, Pavel; Postol, Theodore A. (2000). "False alarm, nuclear danger". IEEE Spectrum. 37 (3): 31–39. doi:10.1109/6.825657. ISSN 0018-9235. Archived from the original on 27 May 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
  5. ^ a b Krebs, Gunter. "US-K (73D6)". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 11 May 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  6. ^ Krebs, Gunter. "US-KS (74Kh6)". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 17 January 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  7. ^ Krebs, Gunter. "US-KMO (71Kh6)". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  8. ^ Pavel, Podvig (30 March 2012). "Kosmos 2479 - new geostationary early warning satellite". Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  9. ^ Pavel, Podvig (30 September 2010). "Kosmos 2469 might be the last HEO early-warning satellite". Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  10. ^ Clark, Phillip. "SPACE DEBRIS INCIDENTS INVOLVING SOVIET/RUSSIAN LAUNCHES". Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  11. ^ Holm, Michael (2011). "916th independent Radio-Technical Unit". Soviet Armed Forces 1945-1991. Archived from the original on 9 October 2015. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  12. ^ Holm, Michael (2011). "1127th independent Radio-Technical Unit". Soviet Armed Forces 1945-1991. Archived from the original on 9 October 2015. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  13. ^ Topol, Sergey; Safranov, Ivan (11 May 2001). "У России проблемы с ПРО: Она сгорела" [Russia has an ABM problem: it burnt down]. Kommersant. Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  14. ^ "Russia blaze hits satellite network". BBC News. 10 May 2001. Archived from the original on 28 July 2004. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  15. ^ Paleologue, A. (2005). "Early Warning Satellites in Russia: What past, what state today, what future?". In Pejmun Motaghedi (ed.). Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 5799. Modeling, Simulation, and Verification of Space-based Systems II. SPIE. pp. 146–157. doi:10.1117/12.603478.
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