Kosmos 138
| Mission type | Optical imaging |
|---|---|
| COSPAR ID | 1967-004A |
| SATCAT № | 2646 |
| Mission duration | 8 days[1] |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Zenit-2 |
| Manufacturer | OKB-1 |
| Launch mass | 4,730.0 kilograms (10,427.9 lb)[1] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 19 January 1967, 12:39:59 UTC[2] |
| Rocket | Vostok-2 |
| Launch site | Plesetsk 41/1 |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Recovered |
| Landing date | 27 January 1967, 06:14 UTC[3] |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee | 190 kilometres (120 mi) |
| Apogee | 276 kilometres (171 mi) |
| Inclination | 64.5 degrees |
| Period | 89.16 minutes |
| Epoch | 21 January 1967[4] |
Kosmos 138 (Russian: Космос 138 meaning Cosmos 138) or Zenit-2 No.43 was a Soviet optical film-return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1967. A Zenit-2 spacecraft, Kosmos 138 was the forty-fifth of eighty-one such satellites to be launched[5][6] and had a mass of 4,730.0 kilograms (10,427.9 lb).[1]
Kosmos 138 was launched by a Vostok-2 rocket, serial number N15001-05,[7] flying from Site 41/1 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 12:39:59 UTC on 19 January 1967,[2] and following its arrival in orbit the spacecraft received its Kosmos designation; along with the International Designator 1967-004A and the Satellite Catalog Number 2646.[1] The satellite reached a slightly lower orbit than had been planned, but was still able to complete its mission.[3]
Kosmos 138 was operated in a low Earth orbit; at an epoch of 21 January 1967 it had a perigee of 190 kilometres (120 mi), an apogee of 276 kilometres (171 mi) inclination of 64.5 degrees and an orbital period of 89.16 minutes.[4] After 8 days in orbit, Kosmos 138 was deorbited, with its return capsule descending under parachute and landing at 06:14 UTC on 27 January 1967.[3]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Cosmos 138". National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
- 1 2 McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
- 1 2 3 Christie, Robert. "Zenit Satellites - Zenit-2 variant". Zarya.info. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
- 1 2 McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
- ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "Zenit-2 (11F61)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
- ↑ Wade, Mark. "Zenit-2". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
- ↑ Wade, Mark. "Vostok 8A92". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 22 January 2014.