VLADIVOSTOK — Russia
successfully launched the Soyuz-2.1a rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome of
Russia's Far East early Saturday, placing the Kondor-FKA No. 2 radar satellite
into its designated orbit.
Equipped with advanced radar technology, the Kondor-FKA
satellites enable all-weather, round-the-clock Earth observation, reports
Xinhua news agency.
"The second radar satellite, Kondor-FKA, has reached
orbit! The launch systems worked as planned," Russia's space agency
Roscosmos announced in a statement.
Unlike optical satellites, the Kondor-FKA series can
penetrate cloud cover and operate in darkness, making them indispensable for a
variety of tasks, including mapping, environmental monitoring, natural resource
exploration, and guiding vessels through ice-covered routes, such as the
Northern Sea Route during polar nights.
The Kondor series, developed by the NPO Mashinostroyeniya
design bureau, has seen steady advancements since its inception. The first two
satellites were launched in 2013 and 2014, while Kondor-FKA No. 1 entered orbit
in 2023. Two more satellites are currently under construction, with the third
Kondor-FKA launch planned for 2026.
Each Kondor-FKA satellite weighs approximately 1,050 kg and
has a five-year operational lifespan.
