Prognoz programme

Prognoz, also known as SO, SO-M, and SO-M2, was a Soviet scientific research satellite programme.
Twelve Prognoz satellites were launched between 14 April 1972 and 29 August 1996, all by Molniya-M carrier rockets. The satellites were placed in high Earth orbits. The first ten Prognoz satellites were launched from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, and the last two from Site 43/3 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.
The satellites were designed for Solar research; however, the later satellites were used for other areas, including research into the Big Bang theory and Earth's magnetosphere. The tenth satellite was part of the Interkosmos programme.