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Russia begins reviving its early-warning satellite system

On Nov. 17, 2015, Russia's military launched its new-generation Tundra satellite designed to restore Moscow's capability to detect, track and identify worldwide missile launches from space. The new orbiting constellation will be the first line of defense in a two-layered virtual barrier around Russian borders intended to warn the nation about an impending missile attack. Known as EKS for Integrated Space System, the network also includes ground-based radar installations across Russia and a control center.

SPECIAL REPORT

Written and illustrated by Anatoly Zak; Editor: Alain Chabot

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TECHNOLOGY
eks The EKS constellation

The EKS network was designed to replace the Soviet-era early warning systems inherited by Russia in the 1990s. Along with new ground-based radar stations, the new satellites could fill potential gaps in the Russian early warning defenses left by the disintegration of the USSR.

yamal Yamal satellite series

Satellites in the EKS constellation derived from the Yamal spacecraft, RKK Energia's first foray into the field of satellite communications in nearly three decades. Ironically, it was the same company that had pioneered the development of communications satellites in the USSR.

tundra Tundra satellite design

The overall development of the EKS constellation was led by TsNII Kometa in Moscow, while RKK Energia built the 14F142 spacecraft, a.k.a Tundra. TsNII Kometa also supervised the development of the main infrared telescope designed to detect heat signatures left by missiles.

DEVELOPMENT
tundra

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oko Before Tundra there was Oko

During the Cold War, the USSR fielded its first-generation early warning system US-K, which included Oko satellites. The second-generation constellation, US-KMO entered testing during the post-Soviet period, however it had spotty coverage and its operation turned out to be short-lived.

nord Nord: Connecting the north

Creators of the EKS system realized that the constellation's highly elliptical orbits could also be used for communications. NPO Lavochkin formulated the civilian application of the system within the Nord project.

development Development of the Tundra satellite

The new early warning constellation planned for deployment by 2005, promised wider coverage and more accurate tracking of missiles, however its development bogged down in organizational and technical problems, pushing it at least a decade behind schedule.

DEPLOYMENT
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Launch of the first EKS (Tundra) satellite

The deployment of the EKS system started on Nov. 17, 2015, at 09:33:41 Moscow Time, with the launch of an experimental Tundra satellite from Plesetsk on a Soyuz-2-1b (14A14-1b) rocket with a Fregat upper stage. The Kosmos-2510 spacecraft was deployed in a highly elliptical orbit, which takes 12 hours to complete.

Second EKS satellite enters orbit

The second EKS/Tundra satellite lifted off from Plesetsk on a Soyuz-2-1b (14A14-1b) rocket with a Fregat-M upper stage on May 25, 2017, at 09:34 Moscow Time (01:34 EDT). Upon reaching its nominal orbit, the spacecraft was officially identified as Kosmos-2518.

eks

Third EKS (Tundra) satellite flies

Military personnel at Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Northern Russia performed the successful launch of a Soyuz-2-1b rocket on September 26, 2019, carrying a classified payload which is believed to be the third satellite for the nation's newest constellation designed to provide the Kremlin with early warning about launches of ballistic missiles around the world.

tundra

Russia to orbit missile-watching satellite

Military personnel at Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Northern Russia prepares to launch a Soyuz-2 rocket on May 21, 2020, carrying a classified payload which is believed to be the fourth satellite for the nation's newest constellation designed to provide the Kremlin with early warning about launches of ballistic missiles around the world.

This page is designed and maintained by Anatoly Zak; All rights reserved; Last edit: November 16, 2015; Last update: May 21, 2020