Prognoz (satellite)

Prognoz
ManufacturerLavochkin
Country of originSoviet Union
OperatorRVSN
ApplicationsScientific research
Specifications
Launch mass920 kilograms (2,030 lb)
RegimeHEO
Production
StatusRetired
Launched12
Retired12
Maiden launchPrognoz 1
14 April 1972
Last launchPrognoz 12
29 August 1996

Prognoz, also known as SO (Solar Object, first three satellites), SO-M (SO-modified, next seven satellites), and SO-M2 (last two satellites, also known as Interball), was a Soviet scientific research satellite programme. Twelve Prognoz satellites were launched between 14 April 1972, and 29 August 1996, by Molniya-M carrier rockets. The satellites were placed in high Earth orbits. The first ten Prognoz satellites were launched from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, and the last two from Site 43/3 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.[1][2][3]

The satellites were primarily used for Solar research; however, the later satellites were used for other kinds of research, including research into the Big Bang theory, and Earth's magnetosphere.[4] The tenth satellite was used as part of the Interkosmos programme.

  1. ^ "Prognoz 1,2,3 (SO)". Gunter's space page. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  2. ^ "Prognoz 4,5,6,7,8,9,10 (SO-M)/Intersputnik 23". Gunter's space page. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  3. ^ "Interball 1,2 (SO-M2 #1,2)". Gunter's space page. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  4. ^ Encyclopedia Astronautica - Prognoz Archived 2009-10-11 at the Wayback Machine