“The most interesting modernization is the change in the radar shape… Essentially, this has altered the main characteristics of radar survey. The vertical electronic scanning angles have increased, enabling detailed surveys to achieve resolutions of up to 0.5 meters,” he said.
Rabochiy further explained that the radar power characteristics and one-time energy consumption of this space platform will also improve in the new-generation spacecraft. This will significantly enhance the imaging capabilities of the radar.
“The Blue Marble” – the first high-resolution photograph of Earth’s surface fully illuminated, captured by humans in 1972. Photo: Sputnik.
The Kondor-FKA-M natural resource exploration satellite is scheduled to be launched into orbit in 2025.
Previously, Alexander Leonov, the General Director and chief designer of the design office at NPO Mashinostroyeniya, stated that the specific timing has not been disclosed yet due to the continuous budget cuts by the Russian space corporation Roscosmos. However, the satellite development continues.
On May 27, the first Kondor-FKA radar satellite will be launched using the Soyuz-2.1a rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome. The system will consist of two satellites, with the second satellite expected to be launched in the summer of 2024.