MOSCOW. Dec 14 (Interfax-AVN) - The mass simulator of the Russian earth imaging satellite called Kondor will come down from orbit and cease its ballistic existence around December 14, a source in the space industry told Interfax-AVN on Friday.
"The Kondor's orbital descent is expected on Monday, December 14. It is expected to fall in the central part of the Pacific Ocean, north of the Fiji Islands," the source said.
The 978-kilogram satellite was launched atop a Strela carrier rocket from Baikonur on December 5, 2003. The mass-inertia model of the satellite was delivered to the circular orbit at an inclination of 67 degrees and an altitude of 460 kilometers.
The Strela carrier rocket is a converted version of the UR-100N UTTH (RS-18B) intercontinental ballistic missile which was designed by NPO Mashinostroyeniya in the second half of 1970s and entered service in 1980. The original UR-100N UTTH missiles are still in service of the Strategic Missile Troops, being one of the most formidable and efficient means of nuclear deterrence.
Two Kondor satellites are still on the orbit: one was launched for the Russian Defense Ministry, the other for a foreign customer.