Orlets (Russian: Орлец) was a series of Russian, and previously Soviet photoreconnaissance satellites derived from and intended to augment the Yantar series of spacecraft. Ten satellites were launched between 1989 and 2006; eight in the Orlets-1 configuration and two in the Orlets-2 configuration.

Orlets satellites conducted optical imaging, returning images by means of film capsules. Orlets-1 spacecraft carried eight film capsules, whilst Orlets-2 carried twenty-two. Orlets-1 were launched by Soyuz-U and Soyuz-U2 carrier rockets, with the larger Zenit-2 being used to launch Orlets-2.

Satellites

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Spacecraft Type[1] Launch Date (UTC)[2] Carrier rocket[2] Launch pad[2] Orbit Termination*[3] Remarks
Kosmos 2031 Orlets-1 18 July 1989
12:10
Soyuz-U 1/5 31 August 1989
Kosmos 2101 Orlets-1 1 October 1990
11:00
Soyuz-U2 1/5 30 November 1990
Kosmos 2163 Orlets-1 9 October 1991
13:15
Soyuz-U2 1/5 6 December 1991
Kosmos 2225 Orlets-1 22 December 1992
12:00:00
Soyuz-U 31/6 18 February 1993
Kosmos 2262 Orlets-1 7 September 1993
13:25:00
Soyuz-U2 31/6 18 December 1993
Kosmos 2290 Orlets-2[4] 26 August 1994
12:00
Zenit-2 45/1 4 April 1995
Kosmos 2343 Orlets-1 15 May 1997
12:10:00
Soyuz-U 31/6 18 September 1997
Kosmos 2372 Orlets-2 25 September 2000
10:10
Zenit-2 45/1 20 April 2001
Kosmos 2399 Orlets-1 12 August 2003
14:20:00
Soyuz-U 31/6 9 December 2003
Kosmos 2423 Orlets-1 14 September 2006
13:41:00
Soyuz-U 31/6 17 November 2006
* — Orlets-1 missions terminated by self-destruct, Orlets-2 by controlled deorbit

References

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  1. ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Orlets-1 (Don, 17F12)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  2. ^ a b c McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  3. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
  4. ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Orlets-2 (Yenisey)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 5 June 2012.