Engineering:Kosmos 49

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Kosmos 49
Mission typeMagnetosphere
COSPAR ID1964-069A
SATCAT no.00913
Mission duration301 days
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeDS-MG
ManufacturerYuzhnoye
Launch mass400 kg[1]
Start of mission
Launch date24 October 1964, 05:17:00 GMT
RocketKosmos-2I 63S1
Launch siteKapustin Yar Mayak-2
ContractorYuzhnoye
End of mission
Decay date21 August 1965
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric[2]
RegimeLow Earth
Perigee altitude264 km
Apogee altitude466 km
Inclination48.99°
Period91.8 minutes
Epoch24 October 1964
 

Kosmos 49 (Russian: Космос 49 meaning Cosmos 49), also known as DS-MG No.2 was a scientific satellite which was launched by the Soviet Union in 1964. This mission used proton magnetometers to map the Earth's magnetic field and, along with Kosmos 26, represented the USSR's contribution to the International Quiet Solar Year World Magnetic Survey. The corresponding American measurements were performed by the satellites OGO 2 and OGO 4.[3] It also conducted scientific research into the Earth's infrared flux and ultraviolet flux.

The shape of the spacecraft was almost an ellipsoid and measured 1.8 metres (5 ft 11 in) long and 1.2 metres (3 ft 11 in) in diameter. A boom 3.3 metres (11 ft) long was attached at one end of the spacecraft to the magnetometers. It had a mass of 400 kg. The performance of the spacecraft was satisfactory.[4]

It was launched aboard a Kosmos-2I 63S1 rocket[5] from Mayak-2 at Kapustin Yar. The launch occurred at 05:17 GMT on 24 October 1964. Kosmos 49 was placed into a low Earth orbit with a perigee of 264 kilometres (164 mi), an apogee of 466 kilometres (290 mi), 48.99° of inclination, and an orbital period of 91.8 minutes. It decayed from orbit on 21 August 1965.[6] Kosmos 49 was the second of two DS-MG satellites to be launched, the other being Kosmos 26.[7]

See also

  • 1964 in spaceflight

References