The satellite was designed to detect missile launches using optical telescopes and infrared sensors.

[5] A Molniya-M carrier rocket with a 2BL upper stage was used for the launch, which took place at 19:07 UTC on 6 April 1993.

[3] The launch successfully placed the satellite into a molniya orbit.

[3] The United States Space Command assigned it the Satellite Catalog Number 22594.

[3] On 8 March 2022, Kosmos 2241 decayed from orbit and reentered the atmosphere.