The launch of the next remote sensing satellite “Resurs-P” was postponed for a year
The launch of the Russian spacecraft Resurs-P into orbit has once again been postponed. This was reported by RIA Novosti, referring to information received from a knowledgeable source in the rocket and space industry.
The satellites of this family are designed for Earth remote sensing (ERS). In particular, they serve for highly detailed, detailed wide-coverage and hyperspectral optical-electronic observation of our planet’s surface.
The first spacecraft of the series went into orbit on June 25, 2013, the second on December 26, 2014. The launch of the device “Resurs-P” No. 3 took place on March 13, 2016.
The sending into space of the fourth and fifth satellites of the family was planned to be carried out in 2018–2019. However, the launch is constantly postponed due to various difficulties. Difficulties with the supply of high-speed radio link equipment were discussed.
“The fourth Resource-P launch, which was planned for this year, maybe postponed until 2022,” informed people said.
We add that information from satellites of the Resurs-P series is used in the compilation and updating of general geographic, thematic, and topographic maps, control of pollution and environmental degradation, information support for the search for oil and other mineral deposits. Based on hyperspectral satellite images, it is possible to determine the maturity of wheat, microflora activity in water bodies, the degree of soil salinity, etc.
