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Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Russian spy satellite breaks down: report
2006-07-04
MOSCOW - A Russian spy satellite launched this week has failed to open one of two solar panels on board and cannot fulfil its mission, the Kommersant daily on Monday quoted a Russian defence official saying. The Kosmos-2421, a Russian navy satellite for intelligence-gathering and identifying targets, was launched on Sunday from Baikonur, RussiaÂ’s cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Kommersant said.

The daily cited a naval command official as saying that the satellite could not generate enough power and therefore could not deploy its equipment. But an official from Russia’s space forces, a defence 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 said.
Perhaps sitting around in the storage rental locker didn't do it any good.
Posted by:Steve White

#5  Should be able to verify easily by telescope.
Posted by: Redneck Jim   2006-07-04 08:17  

#4  More than one of our satellites has suffered a similar fate. Assuming the story is true, and not disinformation designed to keep us from avoiding its watchful eye during maneuvers, etc.
Posted by: Glenmore   2006-07-04 07:05  

#3  Maybe FedEx dropped the sat on the way to the launch site. Don't laugh too hard, they've done it before.
Posted by: AzCat   2006-07-04 02:17  

#2  Maybe Soyuz could bring along some Doan's Pills for those stiff joints and aching back?
Posted by: Seafarious   2006-07-04 01:05  

#1  Russian navy satellite for intelligence-gathering and identifying targets,

Now there's a blast from the past.
In storage for 15 yrs ? Hmm, someone forgot to check the "use by" dates on the pyro.

if it's navy, is it a RORSat? Wern't those nuclear powerered? Old Spook, or anyone else who might know and be able to comment?
Posted by: N guard   2006-07-04 01:01  

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