Kosmos 394
Kosmos 394 (Russian: Космос 394 meaning Cosmos 394), also known as DS-P1-M No.2 is a satellite which was used to demonstrate technology for future satellites which would be used as targets for tests of anti-satellite weapons. It was launched by the Soviet Union in 1971 as part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik programme.[1] Following the completion of testing it was intercepted and destroyed by Kosmos 397 on 25 February.[2]
| Mission type | Technology |
|---|---|
| COSPAR ID | 1971-010A |
| SATCAT no. | 04922 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | DS-P1-M |
| Manufacturer | Yuzhnoye |
| Launch mass | 650 kilograms (1,430 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 9 February 1971, 18:48:48 UTC |
| Rocket | Kosmos-3M |
| Launch site | Plesetsk 132/1 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee altitude | 522 kilometres (324 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 552 kilometres (343 mi) |
| Inclination | 65.8 degrees |
| Period | 95.4 minutes |
Launch
It was launched aboard a Kosmos-3M carrier rocket,[3] from Site 132/1 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The launch occurred at 18:48:48 UTC on 9 February 1971.[4]
Orbit
Kosmos 394 was placed into a low Earth orbit with a perigee of 522 kilometres (324 mi), an apogee of 552 kilometres (343 mi), 65.8 degrees of inclination, and an orbital period of 95.4 minutes.[1] As of 2009, debris from its destruction is still in orbit.[5]
Kosmos 394 was the second of the five original DS-P1-M satellites to be launched, and the first to successfully reach orbit.[1] The three subsequent launches were all successful, before the satellite was replaced with a derivative, Lira.[6] DS-P1-M and Lira satellites were used as targets for the Istrebitel Sputnik programme.
See also
References
- Wade, Mark. "DS-P1-M". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 5 January 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
- Wade, Mark. "IS-A". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 21 April 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
- McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
- Wade, Mark. "Kosmos 3". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
- McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
- Wade, Mark. "DS". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 31 March 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2009.