Yantar-4K2M (Russian: Янтарь meaning amber), also known as Kobalt-M, was a type of Russian reconnaissance satellite and the last operational member of the Yantar series of satellites. In common with most Yantar satellites, the Kobalt-M used film rather than digital cameras. This film could not be sent to Earth as easily as digital data.
The Kobalt-M was an improved version of the Kobalt satellite and the first one was launched as Kosmos 2410 in 2004. It returned three sets of film during its mission. The first two landed in film return canisters (called SpK - Spuskayemaya Kapsula) and a final set of film returned in the satellite's special equipment module. Image resolution is reportedly 30 cm.
Ten satellites of this series were launched, the last one in 2015. No further orders were planned. Further reconnaissance missions were taken over by the Persona-class satellites.
Launches Satellite Launch date Landing date Mission Length Kosmos 2410 24 September 2004 10 January 2005 108 days Kosmos 2420 3 May 2006 19 July 2006 76 days Kosmos 2427 7 June 2007 23 August 2007 76 days Kosmos 2445 14 November 2008 23 February 2009 101 days Kosmos 2450 29 April 2009 27 July 2009 89 days Kosmos 2462 10 April 2010 21 July 2010 102 days Kosmos 2472 27 June 2011 24 October 2011 119 days Kosmos 2480 17 May 2012 24 September 2012 130 days Kosmos 2495 6 May 2014 2 September 2014 119 days Kosmos 2505Russia conducts surprise Soyuz 2-1A launch carrying Kobalt-M NASASpaceFlight.com 5 June 2015 17 September 2015
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