At 23:13 UTC on March 12, Russia’s Proton-M rocket launched from Site 81/24 at Baikonur Cosmodrome, carrying the Olymp-K-2 satellite, also referred to as Luch-5X. The Olymp-K satellites are Russian geostationary satellites built for Russian military and intelligence use. Olymp Satellites The Olymp-K satellites, also referred to as Luch, are Russian geostationary satellites built for the Russian Ministry of Defense as well as the Russian intelligence agency FSB. While the purpose of the satellites has not been officially disclosed, the satellites are believed to serve two purposes. The first purpose is to conduct signals intelligence (SIGINT) and the second is to provide secure communications lines for governmental use. See AlsoOlymp-K-2 UpdatesRussian Launchers SectionL2 Russian SectionClick here to Join L2 The Luch designation, which is also used to refer to the Russian Satellite Data Relay Network (SDRN), hints at the satellites being used in a data relay role, with the Olymp-K designation referring to a signals intelligence payload and the Luch designation referring to a data relay payload. One other purported payload onboard is a laser communications system, providing navigation correction signals to the GLONASS system. The Olymp-K satellites are built on ISS Reshnetnev’s Ekspress-1000 bus and mass about 3,000 kg.…
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Russian Proton-M launches Olymp-K-2 military satellite
