Sich-1M

Sich-1M (Січ-1М) is a Ukrainian spacecraft, an artificial satellite of Earth, constructed for remote sensing of Earth.

Developed by Yuzhnoye Design Office and manufactured by Yuzhmash.

Sich-1M was launched on December 24, 2004, at 13:20 from the Plesetsk cosmodrome (Russia) using the Cyclone-3 launch vehicle together with MK-1TS microsatellite. Both satellites placed into incorrect orbits due to premature third stage cutoff.

The satellite was in orbit until April 15, 2006.

Purpose
Sich-1M was designed to receive information simultaneously in the optical, infrared and microwave ranges. The complex of research equipment installed on the spacecraft allowed to study the atmosphere of Earth and the World Ocean, monitoring the hydrological and ice conditions, vegetation and soil cover of the land, etc.

MK-1TS
MK-1TS Micron (МС-1-ТК Мікрон) is a small Ukrainian microsatellite manufactured by Yuzhmash. MK-1TS was launched on December 24, 2004, at 13:20 from the Plesetsk cosmodrome (Russia) using a Cyclone-3 launch vehicle together with the Sich-1M satellite. Both satellites were placed into incorrect orbits due to premature third stage cutoff.

MK-1TS had a small on-board camera (MBTC-VD), to provide digital optical-electronic images in the panchromatic range. One of its tasks was to work out a new system of orientation on the base of a magnetometer and electromagnets without using auxiliary devices. The satellite was active until September 30, 2005.