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Yantar-4K2M (Russian: Янтарь meaning amber), also known as Kobalt-M, was a type of Russian reconnaissance satellite and the last operational member of the Yantar series of satellites. In common with most Yantar satellites, the Kobalt-M used film rather than digital cameras. This film could not be sent to Earth as easily as digital data.

The Kobalt-M was an improved version of the Kobalt satellite and the first one was launched as Kosmos 2410 in 2004. It returned three sets of film during its mission. The first two landed in film return canisters (called SpK - Spuskayemaya Kapsula) and a final set of film returned 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 were planned. Further reconnaissance missions were taken over by the Persona-class satellites.

Launches

References

1. Podvig, Pavel (2005-11-23). "Kobalt-M and other reconnaissance satellites". Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces. Retrieved 2013-05-09.
2. Podvig, Pavel; Zuang, Hui (2008). Russian and Chinese Responses to US Military Plans in Space (PDF). Cambridge, MA: American Academy of Arts and Sciences. ISBN 978-0-87724-068-6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2013-05-09.
3. Krebs, Gunter. "Yantar-4K2M (Kobalt-M, 11F695M ?)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
4. ^ Zak, Anatoly (2012-09-28). "Kobalt-M satellite". Russian Space Web. Retrieved 2016-03-14.
5. ^ Russia conducts surprise Soyuz 2-1A launch carrying Kobalt-M NASASpaceFlight.com

v t e Russian reconnaissance satellites
IMINT	Photographic Almaz Zenit Orlets Yantar Kobalt Electro-optical Persona Resurs-P Razbeg Razdan Radar IMINT Kondor Neitron
SIGINT	ELINT Tselina-2 Liana Lotos-S Pion-NKS
MASINT	Secondary Mission Oko US-K US-KMO EKS
Kosmos

• Yantar (satellite)
• Reconnaissance satellites of Russia
• Spacecraft launched by Soyuz-2 rockets
• Spacecraft launched by Soyuz-U rockets