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The Museum's Resurs 500 Capsule on display in the Lear Gallery Image
Location: Lear Gallery
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Spacecraft Details

  • Manufacturer: 
     Resurs  
    Model: 
    500 Capsule
    Year: 
    1992
    Inclination: 
    83
    Gross Weight: 
    13,889lbs
    Diameter: 
    7ft
    Perigee: 
    110miles
Resurs 500 Capsule Image
Resurs 500 Capsule Image
Resurs 500 Capsule Image

Resurs 500 Capsule

This Resurs 500 capsule was launched from Plesetsk, the former Soviet Union’s northern cosmodrome and center for polar orbit launches of mainly military satellites.  On November 15, 1992, the module was launched by a Soyuz 11A511U into space.  The capsule was filled with messages to the American people and promotional materials of Russian and foreign firms in connection with the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ voyage of discovery to America.

On November 22, 1992, the Resurs 500 splashed down on target and was recovered in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Washington State.