| Mission type | Communications |
|---|---|
| Operator | VKS (2011) VKO (2011-) |
| COSPAR ID | 2011-048A |
| SATCATno. | 37806 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Garpun |
| Manufacturer | ISS Reshetnev[1] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 20 September 2011, 22:47 (2011-09-20UTC22:47Z) UTC |
| Rocket | Proton-M/Briz-M |
| Launch site | Baikonur81/24 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geosynchronous |
Kosmos 2473 (Russian:Космос 2473 meaningCosmos 2473) is a Russian militarycommunications satellite which was launched in 2011 by theRussian Space Forces. It is a Garpun (Russian:Гарпун meaning harpoon) satellite, the new generation of communication relay satellites.
Kosmos 2473 was launched fromSite 81/24 atBaikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. It was launched by aProton-M carrier rocket with aBriz-M upper stage at 22:47 UTC on 20 September 2011. The launch successfully placed the satellite intogeosynchronous transfer orbit. It subsequently received itsKosmos designation, and theinternational designator 2011-048A. TheUnited States Space Command assigned it theSatellite Catalog Number 37806.[2][3][4]
Kosmos 2473 is the first garpun satellite. Garpun, which have theGRAU index 14F136, are the replacement for theGeizer satellites of thePotok data system. They transmit data from other satellites toground stations. It was announced that the first launch would be in 2009, but it was delayed until 2011. The last Geizer satellite wasKosmos 2371 which was launched in 2000 and stopped operating in 2009.[4][5][6][7]
