Russian MoD orders next generation optical-electronic intelligence satellites
The Russian Ministry of Defence plans to deploy the optical-electronic intelligence satellites in 2019. These will be based on the latest Hrazdan spacecrafts, Kommersant reports, citing industry and military sources on Thursday, July 28, 2016.
In 2008 - 2015 the military launched three such satellites and now there are only two of them. According to the publication, they are actively involved in the operations of the Russian Armed Forces in Syria.
According to its description, Hrazdan is, "head and shoulders above all its predecessors," as said by a high ranking source in the industry. It is expected that the device will have an entirely new payload, high-speed radio channel with additional protection and, subsequently, a new telescope with a diameter of over two meters. The launch of the first Hrazdan is planned to be held in 2019, the second in 2022 and the third in 2024.