Elektron 1/2

  1964-006A/B

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In 1964 the OKB-1 returned to Earth orbital science satellites. The 2D satellites were further developments of the third Soviet satellite, and were launched in pairs on 8K72 Vostok launch vehicles. The first satellite of each pair (2D No. 1 and 2D No. 3) was ejected while the Blok-E stage was still burning, and entered medium altitude orbits, while the second satellite (2D No. 2 and 4) were inserted in high apogee orbits. The 2D satellites were given the public name Elektron.

Starting in 1983 various objects were tracked with Elektron-1 which are probably not associated with the launch.

Elektron 1 was 350 kg, 1.5l 0.650 dia with antennae and solar panels spanning around 4.0m. E-2 was 460 kg. with 0.85m dia 1.8?m long and about 5.0m when antennae deployed. E-1 was mounted on a tube perpendicular to the Blok E axis and ejected with a solid motor of 33 kN thrust. E-2 was mounted on top of the tube

Elektron-1
Date	Time	Event	Orbit
1964 Jan 30	0945:09	Launch by 8K72 Vostok	KB
	0947	Blok BVGD sep
	0949	Blok A sep
	0949	Blok-E burn
	0955?	Blok-E MECO
		2D No. 1 sep	394 x 7126 x 60.83
1964 Mar 27		End of ops

Payload:

• Trapped radiation detectors (IFA/Galperin)

• Ionospheric beacon (Mayak)

• Micrometeor expt

• Mass spectrometer

The 2D No. 2 (Elektron-2) satellite was inserted into a 23-hour elliptical orbit to study the magnetosphere. E-2 was 0.80 m dia, 0.85m long for cylindrical section; 2.4 l 1.8 dia overall.

Elektron-2
Date	Time	Event	Orbit
1964 Jan 30	0945:09	Launch by 8K72 Vostok	KB
	0947	Blok BVGD sep
	0949	Blok A sep
	0949	Blok-E burn
		2D No. 1 sep	394 x 7126 x 60.83
	0955?	Blok-E MECO
	0956?	2D No. 2 sep	1356.40 441 x 67988 x 60.9

Payload:

• Radiation detectors

• Electrostatic analyser

• Magnetometers

• Solar X ray spectrometer

• Cosmic ray spectrometer

• Ion mass spectrometer