The objective of the experiment was to exercise procedures of satellite injection into the orbit of a new type for the country – Geostationary Earth Orbit, satellite positioning to an orbital slot of the required longitude, and to observe parameters of satellite’s motion and functioning.
For this purpose, modifications were made to a Molniya-1 satellite originally designed for highly elliptical orbits. In particular, Siberian satellite engineers adapted its electric power subsystem and thermal control subsystem. These modifications were necessitated by a longer time required to reach the geostationary orbit compared to Molniya orbit. Besides, RESHETNEV specialists managed to triple satellite’s life expectancy.
Molniya-1S launch on July 29, 1974 and subsequent three years of its operation made it possible to try out the telecommunications technology involving a satellite in the geostationary orbit. Outcomes of this experiment were later applied to launch and operation of new RESHETNEV’s satellites, such as RADUGA, EKRAN and GORIZONT.
