Russia successfully on 17 November 2015 launched the first satellite for its newest early warning system, named EKS or Integrated Space System. The satellite was officially named Kosmos 2510 (Tundra 11L).
This new-generation satellite is designed to restore Moscow's capability to detect, track and identify worldwide missile launches from space.
The satellite was carried by a Soyuz-2.1b rocket from Site 43/4 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, located in Northern Russia.
The launch was carried out under the command of Deputy Commander of Russian Aerospace Defence Forces (VKO) – Commander of the Space Troops Alexander Golovko.
Key highlights of the Tundra 11L satellite
• RKK Energia, a Russian manufacturer of spacecraft and space station components, built the Tundra spacecraft.
• The satellite will be operated by the Russian Aerospace Defence Forces.
• It was delivered into a highly elliptical geosynchronous orbit, called a Tundra orbit.
• It features two deployable solar arrays.
• It will detect missiles launched from the sea as well as from the U.S. territory.
What is EKS?
• EKS (Integrated Space System) is a replacement for the US-KMO and US-K satellites of the Oko programme.
• These satellites identify ballistic missile launches from outer space and complement early warning radars such as the Voronezh.
• There are six Tundra satellites planned to be launched until 2020.
• The next Tundra mission is scheduled for 2016.
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