Characteristics
- Destination:
- astrophysics
- Status:
- decommissioned
- Research Object:
- the Universe
- Launch Date:
- March 23, 1983
- Spaceport:
- Baikonur
- Launchers:
- Proton-K LV
- Machine Weight:
- 3250 kg
- Working Orbit:
- Highly Elliptical Orbit, perigee 2,000 km, apogee 200,000 km, inclination 51.5˚
- Active Lifetime:
- 6 years
Description
The Astron spacecraft based on the Venera interplanetary spacecraft is designed for astrophysical research of galactic and extragalactic cosmic radiation sources.
The main purpose is sensing and registration of cosmic electromagnetic radiation outside the distorting influence of the Earth's atmosphere, including in real-time.
The Astron SC was the first soviet astrophysical observatory of special purpose, injected into the near- Earth orbit and having more than 6 years of successful mission operation.
