Tselina (satellite)

Tselina (Russian: Целина) is a Russian military space-based radio surveillance system, originally developed in the former Soviet Union. It is capable of determining the exact location of radio-emitting objects and also their type, modes of operation, and how active they are. For instance, preparation for a military operation may raise the activity of the radio communications. Detection of these communications by a space-based surveillance system can provide early warning of this activity, warning that may be unavailable by other means.

For other uses, see Tselina (disambiguation).

Variants

Initially divided into "overview" (Tselina-O) and "detailed" (Tselina-D), since about 1980 the system has been integrated into a single satellite, Tselina-P,[1] which is also known as Tselina-2. The system's primary subject is enemy radar equipment. Tselina has been numbered as part of the Kosmos series. In total 130 Tselina satellites have been launched.[2]

  • Tselina-O satellites were launched using Kosmos-3M rockets.
  • Tselina-D used the Vostok-2M and later the Tsyklon-3.
  • Four upgraded Tselina-Ds, named Tselina-R, were also launched using the Tsyklon.
  • Tselina-2 satellites were designed for launch on Zenit-2 launch vehicles, however the first two launches used the larger Proton-K / DM-2 as the Zenit was still undergoing development. The most recent launch used the modernised Zenit-2M launch vehicle.

References
  1. "Космические аппараты радиоэлектронного наблюдения: целевое назначение и история развития" (in Russian). КБ «Южное». Archived from the original on 9 May 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
  2. "Список запусков" (in Russian). Роскосмос. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
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