EKS

The Unified Space System (EKS) is a constellation of Earth Observation satellites intended to detect the launch of ballistic missiles from submarines as well as the launch of some cruise missiles as part of the Russian Strategic Forces' missile early warning capability. As a secondary role the EKS can serve as an emergency communications satellite for example for a retaliatory nuclear strike. The EKS has been designed as the replacement for the Oko-1 early warning satellite constellation. The development of the new space-based system started in 2000 and was projected to achieve a mature development state by 2009 but the program has been delayed for at least five years. The first satellite of the EKS constellation, called 14F142, and build by the Energia Space Corporation is scheduled for launch in the fourth quarter of 2014 by a Soyuz 2.1b rocket using Fregat third stage. The EKS will be inserted into a Tundra orbit, highly elliptical, but twice the period of Oko-1 satellites. The EKS instruments are build by the Kometa Corporation and are capable of determining the target's flight parameters. The Oko-1 ground control stations will be upgraded to take control of the new constellation. The Russian Aerospace Forces have four-six operational satellites providing full Earth coverage with additional satellites as backup just in case something goes wrong with any of the operational EKS spacecraft.

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