Magion (derived from 'magnetosphere' and 'ionosphere') were five satellites for magnetospheric research, launched by Czechoslovakia and later the Czech Republic in cooperation with the Soviet Union and later Russia between 1978 and 1996. They were used for measuring the properties of Earth's magnetic field and the plasma environment around the planet. Each Magion satellite collaborated in a two point system with another satellite launched on the same launch vehicle. Magion 1, 2, and 3 were part of the Interkosmos programme and Magion 4 and 5 were part of the Interball programme. Magion 1 was the first Czechoslovak satellite and Magion 4 was the first Czech satellite. All Magion satellites were launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. + Magion satellitesNameCOSPAR IDLaunch dateLaunch vehicleLaunched withOrbitMagion 11978-099C24 October 1978Kosmos-3MInterkosmos 18406 x 768 kmMagion 21989-080B28 September 1989Tsyklon-3Interkosmos 24500 x 2,500 kmMagion 31991-086E18 December 1991Tsyklon-3Interkosmos 25438 x 3,070 kmMagion 41995-039F2 August 1995Molniya-MInterbol 11,000 x 198,000 kmMagion 51996-050B29 August 1996Molniya-MInterbol 2, MuSat 1 (Victor)1,000 x 20,000 km
See also
List of Czech satellites
References