The Tselina-2 (11F644) series of ELINT satellites were replacements
for the first generation system. Based on the first generation Tselina-D
ELINT, TSNII-KS at the beginning of the 1970's developed the specifications for an
improved model with increased frequency range and on-board method of determining the
position of fixed transmitters. The original Tselina-2 design was authorised in March 1973
and handled by prime contractor TsNIRTI Minradioprom for the ELINT equipment and KB
Yuzhnoye for the spacecraft bus.
The new specification for a universal Army-Navy system called for a satellite with
increased mass and lifetime. This would be launched by the Zenit-2 booster, replacing the separate
earlier-generation systems. Data transmission was directly to ground stations via
geosynchronous communications satellites.
Delays in development of the Zenit-2 launch
vehicle resulted in launching the first two trials flights by Proton-K Blok-DM-2 booster in 1984 and
1985.
Tselina-2 is 3-axis stabilized with addition of a gravity gardient boom, basicly an
enlarged version of the Tselina-D bus.
US-PM will be replaced by the new Lotos-S ELINT satellites of the Liana system.
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