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Strela-1
Strela-1 - Strela-1 prototype. Later spacecraft in the series are believed to be similar in appearance.

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Article Number: 11F610. Code Name: Pchela. Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Nation: USSR. Manufacturer: NPO PM.

Prototype of the large satellite element of the Strela system, which consisted of a large constellation of medium orbit store-dump satellites that provided survivable communictions for Soviet military and intelligence forces. The system was developed experimentally in the 1960's, with flight tests of 3 of the Strela-2 model from 1965 to 1968. The production Strela-2M was flown beginning in 1970.


Specification

Total Length: 3.0 m. Maximum Diameter: 2.0 m. Total Mass: 800 kg.


Strela-2 Chronology


31 October 1961 Kosmos 65S3 intermediate launch vehicle development authorised. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 65S3.

Central Committee of the Communist Party and Council of Soviet Ministers Decree 'On the Creation of the Space Carrier 65S3--start of work on a launch vehicle based on the R-14 for launch of the Meteor, Strela, and Pchela satellites.' was issued.


28 December 1965 Cosmos 103 Program: Strela. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 65S3. Mass: 875 kg. Perigee: 176 km. Apogee: 179 km. Inclination: 56.0 deg.

Possible test flight.


16 November 1966 Strela-2 Program: Strela. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K65. FAILURE: Launch vehicle failed to orbit - unknown cause.
24 March 1967 Cosmos 151 Program: Strela. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K65. Mass: 875 kg. Perigee: 384 km. Apogee: 399 km. Inclination: 56.0 deg.

Possible test flight.


15 June 1968 Strela-2 Program: Strela. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K65. FAILURE: Launch vehicle failed to orbit - unknown cause.
27 August 1968 Cosmos 236 Program: Strela. Launch Site: Baikonur . Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 11K65. Mass: 875 kg. Perigee: 340 km. Apogee: 348 km. Inclination: 56.1 deg.

Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space.



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Last update 12 March 2001.
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