The Russian space forces (part of the aerospace forces) have been escorted by the military communications satellite Cosmos-2539 (Blagovest 14L). The device was put into orbit by the Proton-M launch vehicle, which launched on the morning of August 6 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome (Kazakhstan). This is stated in the message of the Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

As specified in the department, the systems and components of the spacecraft (SC) are functioning normally. A stable telemetric communication is maintained with the satellite. Management of Cosmos-2539 is carried out by ground facilities of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

As of May 2019, the orbital constellation of military and dual-purpose satellites totaled 156 spacecraft. Such data was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the May meeting in Sochi on the development of the defense industry and the Armed Forces of Russia.

According to the calculations of the American non-profit organization Union of Concerned Scientists, Russia takes the second place in the world after the United States in terms of the number of satellites. Domestic vehicles are located in geostationary, elliptical and near-earth orbits. About 70% of Russian spacecraft are under the control of the aerospace forces.

Over the past few years, the composition of the orbital group has been updated by almost 80% and increased by 1.5 times. For example, in 2010, the total number of satellites (including civilians) was 110 devices, and in 2016 - 121.

Single space system

The orbital group is of great importance for the national security of the Russian Federation. Satellites provide communications, data transmission, reconnaissance, fixation of troop transfer, target designation for cruise and ballistic missiles, navigation for land, air and sea platforms. Equally important are meteorological devices that track the movement of air masses, the state of snow and ice cover.

“As a rule, communication satellites and missile attack warning systems (SPRN) are located in geostationary orbit. This is approximately 36 thousand km above the Earth. The so-called surface observation satellites, which take pictures in the interests of military intelligence, fly at an altitude of several hundred kilometers. This is a low Earth orbit, ”explained Dmitry Kornev, founder of the Military Russia portal, to RT.

  • The first artificial Earth satellite PS-1
  • © Wikimedia commons

The Soviet Union became a pioneer in creating an orbital group. On October 4, 1957, the USSR launched the first artificial Earth satellite, PS-1. This day is considered a professional holiday for servicemen of the Russian Space Forces. From 1970 to 1991, the Soviet Union launched about a hundred spacecraft annually.

The tasks of this type of armed forces include monitoring of outer space, tracking missile launches in different parts of the world, managing the orbital constellation, escorting the spacecraft, and carrying out control and measuring activities. A key role in the structure of the Space Forces is played by 11 separate command-measuring complexes (OKIK) located on the territory of the Russian Federation.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the satellites are assembled into a single space system. Earlier, the chief of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, said that this approach allowed "to strengthen control over the areas of ballistic missile launches on the continental part of North America and the areas of patrol of submarines of foreign states."

The leadership of the Russian Federation pays priority attention to the development of the GLONASS global positioning system, which is actively used for military and civilian needs. This is an analogue of the American GPS that provides navigation. The Russian system consists of 24 satellites and a network of ground stations (including foreign ones) that receive data from space.

Work on the creation of GLONASS started back in the 1970s. The first apparatus of the system was launched on October 12, 1982. September 24, 1993, Russia officially launched the operation of GLONASS in the composition of 12 spacecraft. In December 1995, the number of satellites increased to 24, but over the next six years decreased to six units.

In order to revive the GLONASS project, the government of the Russian Federation launched the Global Targeted Program “Global Navigation System”. By the end of 2008, the number of satellites increased to 18 units, in 2014 - to 24, not counting several backup devices, which are also in orbit.

“Two dozen satellites - this is the optimal number of GLONASS, which allows the system to cope with the functionality assigned to it. Domestic satellites do not require adjustment, unlike GPS devices, but their disadvantage is a small warranty resource. GLONASS satellites live for about five to seven years. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out their frequent rotation, ”explained Kornev.

Quality instead of quantity

At the May meeting in Sochi, Vladimir Putin instructed the defense industry to improve the tactical and technical characteristics of the spacecraft. The President drew attention to the need to increase the resolution of the monitoring equipment, the volume and speed of transmitted information and the period of "active existence" of satellites.

In an interview with RT, the editor-in-chief of Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine Viktor Murakhovsky recalled that Russia has a program for the development of the space grouping for the period until 2025. The document involves the development and production of new generation satellites.

“These are space communications, optoelectronic and radio engineering reconnaissance, and the operation of a missile attack warning system. There is also a need to create satellites that provide meteorological support for aircraft and ships in the vast oceans, ”said Murakhovsky.

According to the expert, today the development of the Russian orbital group is hindered by the lack of a domestic electronic component base.

  • The system of primary processing of telemetric information coming from satellites
  • © Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

At the same time, Dmitry Kornev believes that under the conditions of sanctions, Russia can safely purchase components in Asian countries, including China. Replacing foreign systems and assemblies due to objective circumstances is a rather long and complicated process, the source said.

“Despite a number of difficulties that the defense industry is facing, Russia is demonstrating its ability to create new unique devices. We are talking about the so-called satellite inspectors, who made a lot of noise in the West. They are able to approach other spacecraft and, presumably, incapacitate them, ”said Kornev.

As the expert explained, making maneuvers in orbit is a very energy-intensive process. Performing detailed tasks usually significantly reduces the warranty period of a satellite that runs on battery and solar panels. However, domestic scientists were able to develop devices that maneuver for a very long time.

“The military-political leadership of the Russian Federation is aware of the enormous importance of satellites for the country's defense. Now they are betting on improving the quality of devices. This approach promotes scientific and technological progress and saves public finances. In my opinion, Russia does not need to chase quantitative indicators. The main thing is that the orbital group satisfy the needs of our army, ”summed up Kornev.