Yantar-4K2M ( rus, Янтарь meaning amber), also known as Kobalt-M, is a type of Russian

reconnaissance satellite A reconnaissance satellite or intelligence satellite (commonly, although unofficially, referred to as a spy satellite) is an Earth observation satellite or communications satellite deployed for military or intelligence applications. The ...

and is the current operational member of the Yantar series of satellites. In common with most Yantar satellites the Kobalt-M uses film rather than digital cameras. This film cannot be sent to Earth as easily as digital data. The Kobalt-M is an improved version of the Kobalt satellite and the first one was launched as Kosmos 2410 in 2004. It returns three sets of film during its mission. The first two land in film return canisters (called SpK - Spuskayemaya Kapsula) and a final set of film returns in the satellite's special equipment module. Image resolution is reportedly 30 cm. Ten satellites of this series were launched, the last one in 2015; no further orders are planned. Further reconnaissance missions are carried out by the

Persona A persona (plural personae or personas), depending on the context, is the public image of one's personality, the social role that one adopts, or simply a fictional Character (arts), character. The word derives from Latin, where it originally ref ...

-class satellites.

Launches

References

{{Orbital launches in 2015 Yantar (satellite) Reconnaissance satellites of Russia Spacecraft launched by Soyuz-2 rockets Spacecraft launched by Soyuz-U rockets