Foton Satellite Bus

Data current as of 2026-07-20.

The Foton bus accounts for 15 cataloged objects, of which 0 are in orbit and 0 are active. 15 have reentered. Most are built by TSSKB. The largest operator on this bus is TSSKB. The first launched in 1985, the most recent in 2014.

0
In orbit
0
Active
15
Total launched
15
Reentered

Foton launched per year

1 1985: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1986: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1987: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1988: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1989: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1990: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1991: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1992: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1993: 0 objects launched 1994: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1995: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1996: 0 objects launched 1997: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1998: 0 objects launched 1999: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 2000: 0 objects launched 2001: 0 objects launched 2002: 0 objects launched 2003: 0 objects launched 2004: 0 objects launched 2005: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 2006: 0 objects launched 2007: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 2008: 0 objects launched 2009: 0 objects launched 2010: 0 objects launched 2011: 0 objects launched 2012: 0 objects launched 2013: 0 objects launched 2014: 1 launched, 1 since reentered 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
Still in orbit Since reentered Click a year to list its satellites.

Typical specifications

Most common values across cataloged Foton satellites.

Manufacturer TSSKB
Purpose Micro-gravity
Launch mass 2515 kg
Dry mass 2515 kg
Length 6.5 m
Diameter 2.4 m
Span 6.5 m
Shape Sphere + DCone
Power Batteries
Propulsion 11D82M
Design life 13-16 days

Top operators

TSSKB 10 TSSKBP 5

Top countries

RU 8 SU 7

Foton satellites

Track any of them live in KeepTrack.

Name NORAD COSPAR Owner Launched Orbit Status Track
FOTON-M 4 Foton-M No. 4 40095 2014-041A TSSKBP Jul 18, 2014 92 min, 64.9° Reentered
FOTON-M 3 Foton-M No. 3 32058 2007-040A TSSKBP Sep 14, 2007 90 min, 62.9° Reentered
FOTON-M 2 Foton-M No. 2 28686 2005-020A TSSKBP May 31, 2005 90 min, 63.0° Reentered
FOTON 12 Foton 25902 1999-048A TSSKBP Sep 9, 1999 90 min, 62.8° Reentered
FOTON 11 Foton 25006 1997-060A TSSKBP Oct 9, 1997 90 min, 62.8° Reentered
FOTON 10 Foton 23497 1995-006A TSSKB Feb 16, 1995 90 min, 62.8° Reentered
FOTON 9 Foton 23122 1994-033A TSSKB Jun 14, 1994 90 min, 62.8° Reentered
FOTON 5 Foton 22173 1992-065A TSSKB Oct 8, 1992 90 min, 62.8° Reentered
FOTON 4 Foton 21737 1991-070A TSSKB Oct 4, 1991 90 min, 62.8° Reentered
FOTON 3 Foton 20566 1990-032A TSSKB Apr 11, 1990 90 min, 62.8° Reentered
FOTON 2 Foton 19941 1989-032A TSSKB Apr 26, 1989 90 min, 62.8° Reentered
FOTON 1 Foton 19043 1988-031A TSSKB Apr 14, 1988 90 min, 62.8° Reentered
COSMOS 1841 Kosmos-1841 17907 1987-037A TSSKB Apr 24, 1987 90 min, 62.8° Reentered
COSMOS 1744 Kosmos-1744 16724 1986-036A TSSKB May 21, 1986 90 min, 62.8° Reentered
COSMOS 1645 Kosmos-1645 15645 1985-029A TSSKB Apr 16, 1985 90 min, 62.8° Reentered

Frequently asked questions

How many Foton satellites are there?

The catalog lists 15 objects built on the Foton bus. 0 are in orbit and 15 have reentered.

How many Foton satellites are in orbit?

0 Foton objects are currently in orbit, of which 0 carry an active status.

Who builds the Foton bus?

The Foton bus is most commonly built by TSSKB.

When did the first Foton satellite launch?

The first cataloged Foton satellite launched in 1985, and the most recent in 2014.

Satellite data compiled by KeepTrack from CelesTrak, Space-Track, and GCAT, provided under CC BY-NC 4.0.