32954, 32955, 32956 - COSMOS 2437, 2438, 2439

COSMOS 2437, COSMOS 2438, and COSMOS 2439 are the latest group of Russian civilian relay satellites in the Gonets-D1M series that were launched by a Rokot rocket from Plesetsk at 15:20 UT on 2008 May 23. Some reports provide the names as GONETS-D1M 2, GONETS-D1M 3, and GONETS-D1M 4. Each has a mass of 250 kg and power 10 W, enough to relay text messages across Russia. Eventually, the Gonets-D1M fleet will have 36 craft, with six craft per orbital plane. The initial orbital parameters were period 116 min, apogee 1,509 km, perigee 1,478 km, and inclination 82.5 degrees.

Facts in Brief

Launch Date: 2008-05-23
Launch Vehicle: Rokot
Launch Site: Plesetsk, Russia