Okean-O was a joint Ukrainian and Russian remote sensing satellite program designed as a follow on to the Okean-O1 series. It was designed to gather remote sensing data crucial for research of natural resources of the Earth and world oceans. The mission also included ecological monitoring and management of externalities (weather forecast, hazards prevention).

Zenit is a family of space launch vehicles designed by the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau in Dnipro, Ukraine, which was then part of the Soviet Union.

The Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities, commonly known as Roscosmos, is the governmental body responsible for the space science program of the Russian Federation and general aerospace research. Soyuz has many launch locations the Russian sites are Baikonur, Plesetsk and Vostochny however Ariane also purchases the vehicle and launches it from French Guiana.