Kosmos 138

Kosmos 138 (Russian: Космос 138 meaning Cosmos 138) or Zenit-2 No.43 was a Soviet, first generation, low resolution, 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[3][4] and had a mass of 4,730 kilograms (10,430 lb).

Kosmos 138
Mission typeOptical imaging reconnaissance
OperatorOKB-1
COSPAR ID1967-004A
SATCAT no.02646
Mission duration8 days
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeZenit-2
ManufacturerOKB-1
Launch mass4730 kg [1]
Start of mission
Launch date19 January 1967
12:39:59 GMT
RocketVostok-2 s/n N15001-05
Launch sitePlesetsk, Site 41/1
ContractorOKB-1
End of mission
DisposalRecovered
Landing date27 January 1967
06:14 GMT
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric [2]
RegimeLow Earth
Perigee altitude191 km
Apogee altitude273 km
Inclination65.0°
Period89.2 minutes
Epoch19 January 1967
 

Kosmos 138 was launched by a Vostok-2 rocket, serial number N15001-05,[5] flying from Site 41/1 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 12:39:59 GMT on 19 January 1967,[6] and following its arrival in orbit the spacecraft received its Kosmos designation; along with the International Designator 1967-004A and the Satellite Catalog Number 02646.[1] The satellite reached a slightly lower orbit than had been planned, but was still able to complete its mission.[7]

Kosmos 138 was operated in a low Earth orbit, at an epoch of 19 January 1967, it had a perigee of 191 kilometres (119 mi), an apogee of 273 kilometres (170 mi), an inclination of 65.0°, and an orbital period of 89.2 minutes.[2] After 8 days in orbit, Kosmos 138 was deorbited, with its return capsule descending under parachute, landing at 06:14 GMT on 27 January 1967, and recovered by Soviet force.[7]

References

  1. "Cosmos 138: Display 1967-004A". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. NASA. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. "Cosmos 138: Trajectory 1967-004A". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. NASA. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  3. Krebs, Gunter. "Zenit-2 (11F61)". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 31 December 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  4. Wade, Mark. "Zenit-2". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 21 April 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  5. Wade, Mark. "Vostok 8A92". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  6. McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  7. Christie, Robert. "Zenit Satellites - Zenit-2 variant". Zarya.info. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
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