Salyut 2 was launched April 4, 1973. It was not really a part of the same program as the other Salyut space stations, instead being the highly classified prototype military space station Almaz. It was given the designation Salyut 2 to conceal its true nature. Despite its successful launch, within two days the as-yet-unmanned Salyut 2 began losing pressure and its flight control failed; the cause of the failure was likely due to shrapnel piercing the station when the discarded Proton rocket upper stage that had placed it in orbit later exploded nearby. On April 11 the station lost four solar panels and all onboard power. Salyut 2 reentered on May 28, 1973.

Specifications

• Length - 14.55 m
• Maximum diameter - 4.15 m
• Habitable volume - 90 m³
• Weight at launch - 18,900 kg
• Launch vehicle - Proton (three-stage)
• Number of solar arrays - 2
• Resupply carriers - Soyuz Ferry
• Number of docking ports - 1
• Total manned missions - 0
• Total long-duration manned missions - 0
• Number of main engines - 2
• Main engine thrust (each) - 400 kg

Visiting spacecraft and crews

• None

See also

• Salyut
• Mir
• Skylab
• International Space Station

References

• http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/database/MasterCatalog?sc=1973-017A
• Soviet Space Stations as Analogs - NASA report (PDF format)