This is the first domestic civilian radar satellite. The second one is already on the way and could be launched in the second quarter
Military-Industrial Corporation «NPO Mashinostroeniya» completes flight tests of the Earth remote sensing radar spacecraft «Condor-FKA» No. 1, said the general director of the enterprise, Alexander Leonov. According to him, flight tests should be completed in the near future, the entire program is practically completed.
Leonov says that the second «Condor-FKA» is already being prepared and could be launched in the second quarter of this year. Work on the third and fourth satellites of the constellation is also already underway, and another promising direction is being developed — even smaller devices.
«Condor-FKA» No. 1 was launched into orbit on May 27 last year from the Vostochny Cosmodrome using the Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle. This is the first Russian civilian radar satellite; it allows you to receive images of the Earth around the clock and in any weather, including heavy clouds. In addition, the device received a unique non-sealed thermostat housing, which made it possible to increase its operating life four times compared to sealed satellites — from 3 to 12 years old.