Compass (Complex Orbital Magneto-Plasma Autonomous Small Satellite) or Kompas
(Kompleksniy Orbital'niy Magnito-Plazmenniy Avtonomniy Sputnik) is intended for the
detection of the effects of the action of the tectonic breakings of the Earth on the
environment, the search for lithospheric, atmospheric and ionospheric responses to changes
in the state of the zone of the tectonic activity, which can be important for the
prediction/forecast of natural catastrophes, the study of the possibility of the
development/detection of the concealed/latent layers of useful minerals - including of
oil, gas.
The Kompas 1 satellite was originaly designed to be launched by a Shtil-1 launch vehicle, but was rescheduled for a Zenit-2 piggy-back launch.
Kompas 2 was launched on a Shtil-1. The satellite initially failed to respond to ground commands after launch, but was later put into service when the problem was resolved.
Kompas 2N was to share a launch with Sumbandila (ZA-002) on a Shtil-2.1 vehicle. This launch agreement was cancelled and the satellite remained grounded.
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