37344 - ELEKTRO-L 1 (GOMS 2)

ELECTRO-L1, a Russian weather satellite, was launched from Baikonur on 2011 January 20 at 12:29 UT by a Zenit rocket. ELECTRO-L1 is also known as GOMS 2, or Geostationary Operational Meteorological Satellite 2. ELECTRO-L1 will capture real-time images of clouds and storm systems, collecting weather imagery several times per hour with visible and infrared cameras. The satellite's position in geosynchronous orbit will yield views of the entire Earth disk, allowing its weather sensors to observe storm systems across a wide swath of Asia, the Middle East, and the Indian Ocean. The satellite will also study space weather phenomena and provide communications for search-and-rescue services. The satellite weighs 1,701 kg and will be parked at 76 degrees E longitude. It is expected to function for up to ten years.

The initial orbital parameters were period = 1,436.09 minutes, apogee = 35,793.8 km, perigee = 35,779.3 km, inclination = 0.3 degrees on 2011 Mar 30 at 20:01:56 UTC.

Alternate Names

GOMS 2
Geostationary Operational Meteorological Satellite 2

Facts in Brief

Launch Date: 2011-01-20
Launch Vehicle: Zenit
Launch Site: Tyuratam (Baikonur Cosmodrome), Kazakhstan