# CORONAS-I
**Wikidata**: [Q5737413](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5737413)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/coronas-i

## Summary
CORONAS-I, also known as Intercosmos 26, is a space telescope launched in 1994 to observe distant space objects from orbit. Operated by the Roscosmos State Corporation, the spacecraft served as a dedicated scientific instrument until its atmospheric entry in 2001.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Space telescope (instrument for observing distant space objects)
- **Operator:** Roscosmos State Corporation
- **Launch Date:** March 2, 1994
- **Launch Vehicle:** Tsyklon-3 (Soviet/Ukrainian expendable launch vehicle)
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32
- **Mass:** 2,298.2 kilograms
- **Orbital Decay Date:** March 4, 2001
- **Alternative Name:** Intercosmos 26
- **COSPAR ID:** 1994-014A
- **Orbital Period:** 94.755 minutes

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of CORONAS-I?
A: CORONAS-I was a space telescope designed to function as an orbital instrument for the observation of distant space objects. It allowed for astronomical data collection from outside Earth's atmosphere.

### Q: How long did CORONAS-I remain in orbit?
A: The spacecraft remained in orbit for exactly seven years and two days. It was launched on March 2, 1994, and concluded its mission upon atmospheric entry on March 4, 2001.

### Q: What were the technical specifications of its orbit?
A: CORONAS-I maintained an orbit with an apoapsis of 539.8 km and a periapsis of 498.5 km. Its orbital inclination was 82.485 degrees.

### Q: Who operated the CORONAS-I mission?
A: The mission was operated by the Roscosmos State Corporation, the state body responsible for space activities in Russia.

## Why It Matters
CORONAS-I represents a significant era of post-Soviet space science, continuing the legacy of the Intercosmos program under the designation Intercosmos 26. As a heavy space telescope weighing over 2,200 kilograms, it provided a stable platform for long-term orbital observations. The mission demonstrated the continued utility of the Tsyklon-3 launch system for deploying complex scientific payloads from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. By operating for seven years, it contributed to the ongoing study of space objects from a high-inclination orbit, providing data that would be inaccessible to ground-based observatories due to atmospheric interference. Its mission lifecycle, from its 1994 launch to its 2001 re-entry, marks a distinct period in the history of Roscosmos-managed scientific exploration.

## Notable For
- **Dual Identity:** Recognized in international catalogs both as CORONAS-I and as Intercosmos 26.
- **High-Inclination Orbit:** Operated at an orbital inclination of 82.485 degrees, providing a specific vantage point for a space telescope.
- **Substantial Mass:** At 2,298.2 kg, it was a significant scientific payload for the Tsyklon-3 launch vehicle.
- **Documented Re-entry:** The mission concluded with a precisely tracked atmospheric entry and orbital decay on March 4, 2001.

## Body

### Launch and Deployment
CORONAS-I was successfully launched on March 2, 1994. The mission utilized the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32 as its starting point. The delivery to orbit was performed by a Tsyklon-3, a Soviet/Ukrainian expendable launch vehicle known for its role in deploying scientific and military satellites.

### Technical Specifications
The spacecraft was a substantial instrument with a total mass of 2,298.2 kilograms. As a space telescope, it was designed to bypass atmospheric distortion to observe distant space objects. The mission was managed and operated by the Roscosmos State Corporation.

### Orbital Parameters
During its operational lifespan, CORONAS-I maintained the following orbital characteristics:
*   **Apoapsis:** 539.8 km
*   **Periapsis:** 498.5 km
*   **Orbital Inclination:** 82.485 degrees
*   **Orbital Period:** 94.755 minutes

### Mission Conclusion
The mission ended when the spacecraft's orbit decayed, leading to atmospheric entry on March 4, 2001. This event was recorded as the final significant milestone in the spacecraft's history.

### Identification and Tracking
The entity is cataloged under several international identification systems:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1994-014A
*   **NSSDCA ID:** 1994-014A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 23019
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "23019"]

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](http://www.russianspaceweb.com/auos.html)