Elektron was one of the earliest Soviet scientific satellite missions to be authorized
following the initial Sputnik (D-1) series. The two
spacecraft were designed to be deployed in a single launch of a Vostok-K booster. The spacecraft had the specific
task of mapping the Van Allen radiation belts at higher inclinations than that achieved by
US satellites of the time (60 degrees vs 30 degrees latitude). The Elektron missions
consisted of two different satellites in each pair. Elektron 1 and 3 were used for the
lower orbit, while Elektron 2 and 4 were boosted to a higher orbit. Decrees authorizing
design and building of the Elektrons were issued on 9 May 1960 and 13 May 1961. Design
work began in July 1960.
Elektron 2 was launched on 30.01.1964 with Elektron 1,
while Elektron 4 was launched on 10.07.1964 with Elektron 3.
Elektron 2 and 4, with a design mass of 460 kg, were boosted into a high 450 × 60,000
km orbit to map the outer Van Allen belt, simultaneous with Elektron
1 and 3's study of the inner radiation belt. To attain this orbit it used a perigee
kick motor - a solid rocket of 3350 kgf and 12 to 15 seconds duration. Elektron 2 and 4
were 400 mm in diameter and 850 mm long. The spacecraft also measured cosmic rays and the
upper atmosphere.
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