Russian Spy Satellite Breaks Down

MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS

Russian rocket Tsiklon-2 with a new military satellite on board blasts off from the Baikonur space centre in Kazakhstan, early 25 June 2006. A Tsyklon-2 launch vehicle has put a Russian Defense Ministry satellite of the Kosmos series into the target orbit, Russian Space Troops spokesman Alexei Kuznetsov told Interfax-AVN. Photo courtesy of AFP.

by Staff Writers
Moscow, Russia (AFP) Jul 04, 2006
A Russian spy satellite launched this week has failed to open one of its two solar panels and cannot fulfill its mission, the Kommersant daily online news service reported Monday, quoting an unnamed Russian defense official.

The Kosmos-2421, a Russian navy satellite for intelligence-gathering and identifying targets, was launched Sunday from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Kommersant confirmed.

The news service, citing a naval command official, reported the satellite could not generate enough power and therefore could not deploy its equipment.

Meanwhile, an official from Russia's space forces, a defense ministry unit, told AFP that the Kosmos satellite "was successfully put in orbit and has passed under the navy's command."

Russian navy and space agency officials contacted by AFP declined to comment.

The satellite was designed 15 years ago but could only be launched this year, Kommersant reported.

Source: Agence France-Presse

MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS

France To Launch Military Communications Satellite In August

Fauvieres, France (AFP) Jun 28, 2006
France is set to launch its military communications satellite, Syracuse 3B, on August 11 from its base in Kourou, French Guiana, the program director said Wednesday. "The launch of the Syracuse 3B by an Ariane 5 ECA rocket carrying a Japanese communications satellite is scheduled for August 11," said Caroline Laurent, head of the Syracuse program at the French weapons agency (DGA), during a visit to the Fauvieres military base.

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