Cosmos 2506

Launch data: Designation  40699 / 15029A Launch date  23 June 2015 - 16:44 UT Launch site  Plesetsk, LC-43/4 Launch vehicle  Soyuz-2-1B Mission  Reconnaissance, optical, Imaging Satellite type  Persona #3, Kvarts #3 Earth orbit: Perigee / Apogee  706 x 725 km Eccentricity   Inclination  98.3 deg Period   min

Spacecraft data:

Description:

• The Persona (reportedly also named Kvarts) satellite is reportedly a new electro-optical reconnaissance satellite
• Persona features a LOMO-built optical system called 17V321 developed from the system used on the Araks-N (Arkon) satellite. The imaging payload was based on one originally designed for the Sapfir-V high orbit imaging satellite project, which featured an 1.5 m primary mirror. After Sapfir-V was cancelled, components for three payloads were transferred to Persona.

Mission details:

• On Jun 23, 2015 Russia launched the Persona-1 No. 3 spy satellite. The Persona-1 satellites are built by TsSKB-Progress (Samara) and carry electro-optical imaging cameras. According to a report by Anatoly Zak, this third vehicle will return its data via an optical communications link to an unidentified GEO satellite. The satellite maneuverer from elliptical to circular orbit on Jun 28.