ETALON-I

ETALON-I is the first geodynamics satellite launched by the former Soviet Union. The ETALON series are heavy passive spacecraft, equipped with corner cube retroreflectors and dedicated to laser ranging. The ETALON spacecraft where launched in conjunction with two GLONASS satellites (spaceborne navigation network).

ETALON-I Characteristics:

• COSPAR ID: 8900103
• Launch Date: 10-Jan-89
• Launch Vehicle:
• Reflectors: 2134 corner cubes, fused silica with metallized faces, 6 germanium
• Shape: Sphere
• Orbit: Circular
• Diameter: 1.294 m
• Inclination: 64.8 degrees
• Altitude: 19,120 km
• Eccentricity: 0.00061
• Nodal Period: -10874.7 days (-29.8 years)
• Apsidal Period: -94403.9 days (-258.6 years)
• Kepler Period: 675 min (11.25 hr)
• Revolution Period: 676 min
• Weight: 1415 kg