Foton (satellite)
Russian uncrewed science satellite based on Vostok capsule design.
Last updated
Foton, also spelled Photon, refers to two lines of Russian science satellites that return to Earth. Though uncrewed, they are based on the crewed Vostok capsule. Materials science is the main research area, though biology experiments have also flown.
Quick Facts
- First series launches
- 12
- First series launch period
- 1985 to 1999
- First series launch site
- Plesetsk Cosmodrome
- Second series name
- Foton-M
- Foton-m launch attempts
- 4
- Foton-m successful launches
- 3
- Foton-m successful launch sites
- Baikonur Cosmodrome
- Foton-m successful launch years
- 2005, 2007, and 2014
Facts from the source article.
Foton-M
The Foton-M is an updated Russian robotic spacecraft designed for microgravity research in orbit. It builds on the earlier Foton design, featuring a new telemetry and telecommand unit for faster data transmission, larger batteries, and an improved thermal control system. The spacecraft is built by TsSKB-Progress in Samara. The first Foton-M launch, Foton-M1, ended in failure due to a Soyuz-U rocket malfunction.
Foton-M2 launched successfully. Foton-M3 lifted off on 14 September 2007 from Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard a Soyuz-U rocket. It carried a cockroach named Nadezhda, which conceived in space and gave birth to 33 offspring after the spacecraft returned to Earth on 26 September 2007, touching down in Kazakhstan at 7:58 GMT.
Reentry
The Foton capsule has limited thruster capability, so reentry path and orientation cannot be controlled after separation from the engine system. The capsule must be protected from reentry heat on all sides, explaining its spherical design, which maximizes volume while minimizing external surface. The lack of lift means the capsule experiences high forces on reentry, up to 8 to 9g.
More in Soyuz Programme
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Foton (satellite) (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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