Sterkh-1

Launch data: Designation  35636 / 09039B Launch date  21 Jul 2009 - 03:57 UT Launch site  Plesetsk, LC-132/1 Launch vehicle  Kosmos-3M Mission  Government: Rescue Intermediate LEO orbit on: Perigee / Apogee  918 x 944 km Eccentricity  1.78E-03 Inclination  82.96 deg Period  103.64 min

Mission details:

• Replaces the Nadezhda satellites as part of COSPAS-SARSAT rescue system.
• The first Sterkh search-and-rescue satellite was launched at 0357 UTC on Jul 21. Russia's contribution to the space based COSPAS-SARSAT search and rescue system used to be installed together with navigation payloads on Nadezhda satellites, but have now been moved to the dedicated Sterkh system.
• The Kosmos-3M rocket entered a transfer orbit at around 0404 UTC. It reignited at about 0500 UTC to enter a 917 x 943 km orbit; the combined Sterkh/Parus pair separated from the final stage. Sterkh and Parus separated from each other at around 1300 to 1430 UTC. Parus mass is around 800 kg.