# Kosmos 2425

> Russian GLONASS navigation satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q12753764](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753764)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_2425)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-2425

## Summary
Kosmos 2425 is a Russian GLONASS-M navigation satellite launched on December 25, 2006, to support the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS). Manufactured by JSC Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev and operated by the Russian Space Forces, it was deployed into orbit using a Proton-K carrier rocket. It is identified by the international designator 2006-062A and Satellite Catalog Number 29670.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** It is a GLONASS-M class satellite, a family of Russian navigation spacecraft.
*   **Launch Date:** December 25, 2006, at 20:18:12 UTC.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** Proton-K rocket, assisted by a Blok DM-2 space tug.
*   **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome, specifically Site 81/24.
*   **Operator:** Russian Space Forces.
*   **Manufacturer:** JSC Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev.
*   **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 2006-062A; SCN 29670.
*   **Alternate Names:** Cosmos 2425.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite is Kosmos 2425?
A: Kosmos 2425 is a GLONASS-M satellite, which is a class of spacecraft used for the Russian global navigation satellite system.

### Q: When and how was Kosmos 2425 launched?
A: It was launched on December 25, 2006, using a Proton-K carrier rocket fitted with a Blok DM-2 upper stage from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

### Q: Who manufactured and operates Kosmos 2425?
A: The satellite was manufactured by JSC Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev and is operated by the Russian Space Forces.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 2425 serves as a critical component of the GLONASS network, Russia's answer to the United States' GPS system. As a GLONASS-M satellite, it represents a modernized iteration of the navigation technology intended to provide precise positioning and timing data to military and civilian users. The launch of this satellite was part of a broader effort by the Russian Federation to restore and maintain a complete constellation of navigation satellites after a period of decline following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The successful deployment of Kosmos 2425 using the reliable Proton-K rocket and the Blok DM-2 tug highlights the engineering capabilities of the Russian space program in the mid-2000s. It plays a strategic role in ensuring global coverage for the GLONASS system, allowing users to determine their position and velocity in real-time. By operating under the "Kosmos" designation, the satellite also continues the historical Soviet and Russian practice of naming military and scientific satellites generically to obscure their specific strategic functions.

## Notable For
*   **Modernized Navigation:** Belongs to the GLONASS-M class, offering improved navigation services compared to previous generations.
*   **Strategic Operation:** Operated specifically by the Russian Space Forces, underscoring its military importance.
*   **Heavy-Lift Launch:** Required a Proton-K rocket, a heavy-lift launch vehicle, and a Blok DM-2 space tug to reach its operational orbit.
*   **Historical Naming:** Carries the "Kosmos" designation, a name used for Soviet and Russian military satellites since the 1960s.

## Body
### Mission Profile and Classification
Kosmos 2425 is an instance of the **GLONASS-M** class of satellites. These satellites form the backbone of the Russian global navigation system. The "M" series (Modernized) features increased stability and a longer operational lifespan compared to earlier models. The satellite's COSPAR ID is **2006-062A**, and it carries the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) **29670**.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was launched on **December 25, 2006**, at precisely **20:18:12**.
*   **Launch Site:** The mission launched from **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/24**.
*   **Vehicle:** A **Proton-K** carrier rocket was used to lift the payload. This rocket is a heavy-lift vehicle historically used for large satellites and space station modules.
*   **Upper Stage:** To achieve the correct orbital insertion, the launch configuration included a **Blok DM-2** space tug.

### Manufacturing and Operation
Kosmos 2425 was built by **JSC Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev**, a leading Russian developer of satellite systems based in Zheleznogorsk. Once in orbit, control and operation of the satellite were handed over to the **Russian Space Forces**, the branch of the Russian Armed Forces responsible for space operations.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report