# Sterkh 2

> 35866

**Wikidata**: [Q14152757](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14152757)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sterkh-2

## Summary
Sterkh 2 is a Russian satellite operating as part of the Sterkh satellite-based search and rescue system. Launched on September 17, 2009, it was deployed into orbit using a Soyuz-2.1b rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. It is identified by the COSPAR ID 2009-049B and the satellite catalog number 35866.

## Key Facts
- **Instance Of:** Sterkh (Russian satellite-based search and rescue system).
- **Launch Date:** September 17, 2009.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-2.1b.
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.
- **COSPAR ID:** 2009-049B.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 35866.
- **Alternative Name:** STERKH 2.
- **Significant Event:** Rocket launch occurring on September 17, 2009, at Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of Sterkh 2?
A: Sterkh 2 is a component of the Sterkh system, which serves as a Russian satellite-based search and rescue network.

### Q: When and how was Sterkh 2 launched?
A: Sterkh 2 was launched on September 17, 2009, atop a Soyuz-2.1b rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.

### Q: What are the specific identifiers for Sterkh 2?
A: The satellite carries the COSPAR ID 2009-049B and the Satellite Catalog Number 35866.

## Why It Matters
Sterkh 2 plays a specific role in the domain of aerospace and emergency response infrastructure. As an instance of the Sterkh class, its primary relevance lies in its contribution to satellite-based search and rescue (SAR) capabilities. These systems are critical for detecting distress signals from emergency beacons, facilitating faster response times during crises in remote or maritime environments.

The launch of Sterkh 2 represents a specific technical mission within the Russian space program, executed using the Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle. Its deployment from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 marks it as a distinct entity in the 2009 launch manifest. By maintaining this infrastructure, the system supports global safety networks, ensuring that distress alerts can be relayed to ground stations for rescue coordination.

## Notable For
- Being a dedicated unit within the Russian **satellite-based search and rescue system**.
- Being launched specifically on the **Soyuz-2.1b** version of the Soyuz rocket.
- Having a unique **COSPAR ID (2009-049B)** and **Satellite Catalog Number (35866)** used for tracking.
- Deployment from **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31**, a specific launch infrastructure.

## Body

### Classification and Identification
Sterkh 2 is classified as an instance of the **Sterkh** system, a Russian satellite-based search and rescue platform. It is tracked internationally under the designator **35866** (Satellite Catalog Number) and **2009-049B** (COSPAR ID). These identifiers distinguish it from other objects in orbit and link it to its specific launch event in 2009.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was successfully launched on **September 17, 2009**. The mission utilized the **Soyuz-2.1b** rocket, an advanced version of the Soyuz launch vehicle. The launch originated from **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31**, a key launch complex used for various Soyuz missions. This event is recorded as a "rocket launch" significant event in the satellite's history.

### Associated Systems
Sterkh 2 is intrinsically linked to the **Sterkh** class of satellites. While the specific technical specifications of the bus or payload are not detailed in the provided source, its classification confirms its role in the broader context of space-based search and rescue operations managed by Russian aerospace entities.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report