References

261. Y.G. Milov and Y.V. Zonov, "Perspectives of Satellite Communication Development in Russia", Paper IAF-93-M.1.308, 44th Congress of the International Astronautical Federation, 16-22 October 1993.
262. Vestnik Svyazi, 11 November 1994, pp. 6-10.
263. Y. Gorriostayev, et al, Proceedings of the International Conference on Satellite Communications, ICSC '94, 18-21 October 1994, Vol.I, pp. 31-34; Vol.II, pp.113-118.
264. Novosti Kosmonavtiki, 17-31 December 1994, pp.17-19.
265. ITAR-TASS News Agency, and Ostankino Television, 26 December 1994.
266. Y. Gomostayev, op. cit., Vol. II, pp. 164-171.
267. Global Space Communication System Coscon, brochure issued by International Innovatory Joint Venture COSCON, Moscow-Omsk, 1990.
268. Trud, Moscow, 30 May 1991, p. 2.
269. Zenit, Astro Info Service, England, March 1991, p.13 and April 1991, p. 16.
270. Moscow Central Television, 28 February 1991.
271. Sovetskly Patriot, March 1991, p. 15.
Adapted from: Europe and Asia in Space 1993-1994, Nicholas Johnson and David Rodvold [Kaman Sciences / Air Force Phillips Laboratory]

Informator

Eight new LEO communications networks have been proposed by Russian industry; but only one consortium has flown a test vehicle, and market forces will not support all concepts. On 29 January 1991 a prototype satellite for the Koskon (Space Conversion) Global Space Communication System was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodome by the Kosmos launch vehicle. Designated Informator 1, the 600-kg satellite was inserted into an orbit of 960 km by 1,010 km at an inclination of 83 degrees under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Geology. Informator 1 was developed by the Polet Production Association and the Elas Scientific Production Association and is cylindrical in nature (diameter 1.8 m, height of 4 m) with two solar panels designed to produce 1 kW average power. Like Gonets, Informator 1 relies on gravity gradient stabilization and is projected to have an operational lifetime of 5 years or more.

The operational Koskon system will consist of 32-45 Informator-class satellites with multiple satellites in several orbital planes. Although replacement spacecraft may continue to be launched by the Kosmos booster, the initial groups of three spacecraft are to be deployed using the Zenit booster. The first operational spacecraft may be launched as early as 1997 with deployments completed by 1998-1999. Uplink (1.656-1.660 GHz) and downlink (1.555-1.559 GHz) communications will be at a rate of 4-5 MBaud, while cross-link communications at 2.0-2.1 GHz and 0.5-1 MBaud also have been advertised. C-band transmissions may also be possible. The two primary control centers will be located in the Moscow and Omsk regions (References 261, 267-270).

Informator 1 also carried the Soviet RS14 and the German RUDAK 2 amateur satellite transponders as piggy-back payloads. Exactly one week after the launch of these amsat transponders, two more, RS12 and RS13, were placed in a virtually identical orbit as secondary payloads to the Kosmos 2123 navigation satellite. Several such amsat transponders were developed at the Kaluga Electromechanical Plant under the direction of Aleksander Papkov and were launched by the USSR during 1978-1991 (Reference 271).

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