Engineering:Kosmos 215

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Kosmos 215
Mission typeScientific
COSPAR ID1968-033A
SATCAT no.03205
Mission duration73 days
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeDS-U1-A
ManufacturerYuzhnoye
Launch mass400 kg
Start of mission
Launch date18 April 1968, 22:29:52 GMT
RocketKosmos-2I 63SM
Launch siteKapustin Yar, Site 86/4
ContractorYuzhnoye
End of mission
Last contact6 June 1968
Decay date30 June 1968
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth
Perigee altitude255 km
Apogee altitude403 km
Inclination48.5°
Period91.1 minutes
Epoch18 April 1968
 

Kosmos 215 (Russian: Космос 215 meaning Cosmos 215), also known as DS-U1-A No.1, was a Soviet satellite which was launched in 1968 as part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik programme. It was a 385-kilogram (849 lb) spacecraft,[1] which was built by the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau, and was used to study radiation and conduct optical observations of the atmosphere of the Earth. It was equipped with eight telescopes,[1][2] including one for ultraviolet astronomy.[3] It was primarily used to study the Sun, although several other X-ray emissions were detected.

A Kosmos-2I 63SM carrier rocket was used to launch Kosmos 215 into low Earth orbit. The launch took place from Site 86/4 at Kapustin Yar.[4] It occurred at 22:29:52 GMT on 18 April 1968, and resulted in the successfully insertion of the satellite into orbit.[5] Upon reaching orbit, the satellite was assigned its Kosmos designation, and received the International Designator 1968-033A.[6][7] The North American Air Defense Command assigned it the catalogue number 03205.

Kosmos 215 performed ultraviolet photometry of 36 A and B stars from parallel telescopes and two UV photometers with maximum responses at 274.0 and 227.5 nanometres.[8] Its X-ray telescope was used to measure radiation between 0.05 and 0.5 nanometres.[2]

Kosmos 215 was the only DS-U1-A satellite to be launched,[9] and the fourth DS-U1 across all variants. It was operated in an orbit with a perigee of 255 kilometres (158 mi), an apogee of 403 kilometres (250 mi), an inclination of 48.5°, and an orbital period of 91.1 minutes.[10] It completed operations on 6 June 1968.[11] On 30 June 1968, it decayed from orbit and reentered the atmosphere.[10]

See also

  • 1968 in spaceflight

References