Cosmos 2518 (EKS N°2)

Launch data:

Spacecraft data:

Description:

• COSMOS 2518 is a Russias military satellite, joining a network of orbiting early warning stations detecting and tracking missile launches around the world, providing the Russian government notice of potential attack. The Russian military named the satellite Cosmos 2518, consistent with the official nomenclature for Russi′'s defense-related spacecraft. The type of launcher, time of liftoff and trajectory of the rocket indicated it carried a EKS-type missile warning satellite. EKS is a Russian acronym that translates to integrated space system. The EKS, or Tundra, satellites replace Russia′s Oko early warning system, which had its last satellite launch in 2012.

Mission details:

• The second EKS missile early warning satellite was launched by Russia on May 25, 2017. The satellite is in an elliptical Molniya orbit with a period of 12 hours; reports that the system uses the 24-hour Tundra orbit are incorrect and apparently reflect an early design option for the system that was not adopted.

External links:

• Satellite tracking: Real time satellite tracking