Gonets-D1

Specifications: Type / Application: Communication, Store-Dump Operator:  RKA Contractors: NPO Prikladnoy Mekhaniki (NPO PM) Configuratation:   Lifetime:  5 years Mass:  233 kg Orbit:  1400 km x 1414 km; 82.6°

Description:

• Gonets-D1 were operational satellites of a civilian derivate of the military Strela-3 satellite system. The Gonets system was offered to support international health organizations to meet their global communications needs for the transfer of medical data and records to remote sites.
• After two prototype Gonets-D satellites the operational Gonets-D1 was to be deployed in a constellation of 12 satellites consisting of 6 satellites in 2 orbital planes between 1996 and 1998. Each satellite had a single simultaneous earth-space and space-earth channel. On-board storage was 12 Mbits of data, with a transmission rate of 2.4 kbit/sec. Attitude control was achieved through gravity-gradient stabilization. The electrical power system, provided by solar cells and nickel-hydrogen batteries, provided an average 40 W for the payload which was designed to operate for five years.
• A partial D-1 constellation was completed and operated beyond the projected dates of termination. The satellites were launched on Tsyklon-3 boosters, sharing the launch with Strela-3 satellites.
• In the commercial variant, the satellites, known as Gonets (Messenger), were capable of store-dump communications on 2-3 channels in the 2004-400 MHz band with a transmitter output power of 10 W. Data transmission rates available include 2.4 kbits/s, 9.6 kbit/s, and 64 kbit/s with an onboard storage capacity of 8 Mbytes. A handheld user terminal (UT-P) resembles a cellular phone and weighs only 1-3 kg. Finally the 250 kg Gonets were to be deployed at 1,350 km at 82.5 degrees, similar to the Strela-3 satellites, but distributed among six orbital planes for a total constellation of 36 spacecraft. This infrastructure would ensure a mean communication waiting time of less than 20 minutes with more than 80% probability.

Launch list: