Tselina (satellite)


Tselina is a Russian, formerly Soviet, military space-based radio surveillance system. It is capable of determining the exact location of radio-emitting objects and also their type, modes of operation, and how active they are. For instance, preparation for a military operation may raise the activity of the radio communications. Detection of these communications by a space-based surveillance system can provide early warning of this activity, warning that may be unavailable by other means.

Variants

Initially divided into "overview" and "detailed", since about 1980 the system has been integrated into a single satellite, Tselina-P, which is also known as Tselina-2. The system's primary subject is enemy radar equipment. Tselina has been numbered as part of the Kosmos series. In total 130 Tselina satellites have been launched.