MOSCOW. Nov 20 (Interfax-AVN) - The Kosmos-2423 military intelligence satellite, launched from Baikonur on September 14, has stopped its operation.
"The Kosmos-2423 (29302/2006-039A) military satellite stopped its operation on November 17, 2006," the Novosti Kosmonavtiki web-site quoted an unofficial source as saying.
According to experts, the satellite was the last Don-class spacecraft, also known as the Orlets-1 or spacecraft under a designation of 17F12.
The military satellite had operated in orbit for two months. Such satellites usually have a service live of about four months. The spacecraft was of an obsolete type. Don satellites transfer intelligence data down to the Earth with the help of descent capsules, storing images. The data transfer in question is entangled with numerous difficulties.
The Space Forces have yet to comment on media reports that the satellite has been deorbited.
The satellite was launched into space by the Space Forces with the help of the Soyuz-U medium launch vehicle, designed to orbit Soyuz-TM manned spacecraft, Progress freighters, and various spacecraft with a weight of up to 7,200 kg to the circular orbit with an inclination of 51 degrees and an altitude of 200 km. The launch vehicle has been designed and manufactured by the Samara-based TsSKB-Progress Design Bureau.