Plasma-A
The Plasma-A satellites were technological test spacecraft to test out new systems for the US-AM RORSATs. It was based on the US-A RORSAT bus, but was fitted with the new Topaz nuclear rector, which used thermo-emission conversion method to convert heat to electricity. Topaz provided over 10 kW of power and had long endurance and storage in a radiation-safe orbit.
Plazma-A did not have the radar of the US-A spacecraft, but tested a number of other systems:
The Plasma-A satellites carried instruments to map the magnetic field of the earth for the development of a magnetic navigation system.
Two Plasma-A space craft were successfully launched on Tsiklon-2 rockets. Due to the higher orbit than the US-A spacecraft, the reactors were not separated and boosted into a storage orbit.
Nation: | USSR |
---|---|
Type / Application: | Technology, nuclear reactor |
Operator: | |
Contractors: | |
Equipment: | |
Configuration: | US Bus |
Propulsion: | 6 × SPT-70 Stationary Plasma Thrusters |
Power: | Topaz-1 nuclear reactor |
Lifetime: | |
Mass: | 3550 kg |
Orbit: | 774 km × 803 km, 65.0° |
Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kosmos 1818 (Plasma-A #1) | 1987-011A | 01.02.1987 | Ba LC-90 | Tsiklon-2 | ||
Kosmos 1867 (Plasma-A #2) | 1987-060A | 10.07.1987 | Ba LC-90 | Tsiklon-2 |