Monitor-E
Monitor E (Russian Монитор - Э, E stands for experimental) is the name of a planned series of optoelectronic Russian Earth observation satellites, built by the Khrunichev company GKNPZ near Moscow. The satellites are based upon architecture developed by Khrunichev " Jachta " satellite platform (Russian Яхта ), which can be used for different types of satellites and two 1,200 × 600 mm modules - a universal function module and a payload module - there. The function module of a Monitor -E weighs 420 kg, the payload module 330 kg and the total mass of the satellite is 750 kg. To position correction with the satellites have ion engines. The life should be about five years.
The payload of the first satellite of the series monitor -E1 consists of a panchromatic (PSA, Russian ПСА = Abbreviation of панхроматическая съемочная аппаратура ) and a multispectral ( RDSA, Russian РДСА = Abbreviation of съемочная аппаратура распределенного доступа ) optoelectronic cameras with resolutions ranging from eight meters and 20 meters. The PSA camera detects a 96 km and a 160 km wide strip RDSA. The satellite was launched on 26 August 2005 with a Rockot KM launcher in a 524-544 km high polar sun-synchronous orbit from Plesetsk into space. After the successful launch into orbit the control center initially lost the contact with the satellite, but could take him a few hours later back under control. On 18 October 2005, the Control Panel again lost the contact to monitor E1, after problems on board the satellite took him to a non-oriented position. Although the contact you could get it again soon, the tests are to bring the satellite back under full control, initially failed. The first use of Earth observation payload took place on 26 November and was successful.
The cost of development and production of the monitor -E1 satellites are indicated with 1.95 billion rubles ( the equivalent of about 60 million euros ). Monitor E1 was financed 30 % by the Russian space agency Roscosmos and 70% of the Khrunichev. But Roskosmos awarded the rights to 70 % of the shots of the satellite, over the remaining 30% may freely dispose Khrunichev. The satellite is also the first operational use of the Jachta platform. Specially to control the monitor E1 satellites and the evaluation and archiving of the data obtained from such facilities were built Khrunichev.
In addition to the monitor E- series are also satellite series in planning at Khrunichev: Monitor I, Monitor and Monitor -S -O for optoelectronic Earth Observation and Monitor -R3 and R23 to monitor radar Earth observation. The extent to which these plans are realized, is still unknown.