Russia on early Saturday launched the Soyuz-2.1a rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the country’s far east, placing the Kondor-FKA2 radar satellite into orbit.
The satellite, equipped with advanced radar technology, is designed for all-weather, round-the-clock Earth observation. Unlike optical satellites, the Kondor-FKA series can penetrate cloud cover and operate in darkness, making them invaluable for tasks such as mapping, environmental monitoring, natural resource exploration, and guiding vessels through ice-covered routes like the Northern Sea Route during polar nights.
“The second radar satellite Kondor-FKA has reached orbit! The launch systems worked as planned,” Russia’s space agency Roskosmos announced.
The Kondor-FKA2 was delivered to the Vostochny Cosmodrome on September 14, 2024. The satellite traveled by air and road before being prepared at the storage facility’s thermal chamber.
Developed by the NPO Mashinostroyeniya design bureau, the Kondor series has seen consistent advancements since its inception. The initial satellites were launched in 2013 and 2014, while the first Kondor-FKA satellite entered orbit in 2023. The series is set to expand further, with two additional satellites under construction and the third Kondor-FKA launch scheduled for 2026.
Weighing approximately 1,050 kilograms, each Kondor-FKA satellite has an operational lifespan of five years.
