Also called a Vigilship (Veladora) which was built to detect and receiving satellite communications, operated by the Academy of Sciences between 1971-1992. Completed at the Baltic Shipyard, St. Petersburg with yard number 601 in December 1971 and especially used for the space program including utter atmosphere and outer space research, Broken op at Alang, India after 1996. Soviet Union-flagged, homeport Odessa between 1971-1992, Ukraine-flagged, homeport Odessa between1992-1996 and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines-flagged, homeport Kingstown in 1996. IMO 7116286 and call sign UKF1. Deadweight 31.300 tons, standard displacement 53.500 tons and as dimensions 230 x 31 x 10 metres or 760 x 102 x 33 feet. Machinery consisted of 2 Kirov steam turbines with electric drive supplying via 1 shaft 19.000 shp allowing a speed of 17,7 knots and a range of 24.000 nautical miles. Between 160-180 scientists-technicians and 136-160 crewmembers on board. Project 1909.
