MISSION NAME
Neitron (Kosmos 2553) 2553
Status
Success
DATE
5 FEB 2022
LAUNCH PROVIDER
Russian Space Forces
Launch Pad
43/4 (43R)
Description
Payload suspected to be a new type of Russian military intelligence satellite called Neitron.
Soyuz 2.1a Fregat-M
Rocket Description
The 2.1a version includes conversion from analog to digital flight control system and uprated engines on the booster and the first stage with improved injection systems. The new digital flight control and telemetry systems allow the rocket to launch from a fixed rather than angled launch platform and adjust its heading in flight. A digital control system also enables the launch of larger commercial satellites with wider and longer payload fairings such as the ST-type fairing. These fairings introduce too much aerodynamic instability for the old analog system to handle.