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]

Kosmos 394
Mission typeTechnology
COSPAR ID1971-010A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.04922Edit this on Wikidata
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeDS-P1-M
ManufacturerYuzhnoye
Launch mass650 kilograms (1,430 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date9 February 1971, 18:48:48 (1971-02-09UTC18:48:48Z) UTC
RocketKosmos-3M
Launch sitePlesetsk 132/1
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth
Perigee altitude522 kilometres (324 mi)
Apogee altitude552 kilometres (343 mi)
Inclination65.8 degrees
Period95.4 minutes

Launch

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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

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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 Sputnikov programme.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Wade, Mark. "DS-P1-M". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 5 January 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  2. ^ Wade, Mark. "IS-A". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 22 January 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  3. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  4. ^ Wade, Mark. "Kosmos 3". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 6 September 2008. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  5. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  6. ^ Wade, Mark. "DS". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 31 March 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2009.