Engineering:Kosmos 78

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Short description: Soviet satellite launched in 1965
Kosmos 78
Mission typeOptical imaging reconnaissance
OperatorOKB-1
COSPAR ID1965-066A
SATCAT no.01505
Mission duration8 days
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeZenit-2
ManufacturerOKB-1
Launch mass4730 kg[1]
Start of mission
Launch date14 August 1965
11:17:00 GMT[2]
RocketVostok-2 s/n U15001-02
Launch siteBaikonur, Site 31/6
ContractorOKB-1
End of mission
DisposalRecovered
Landing date22 August 1965
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric[3]
RegimeLow Earth
Perigee altitude218 km
Apogee altitude298 km
Inclination69.0°
Period89.9 minutes
Epoch14 August 1965
 

Kosmos 78 (Russian: Космос 78, romanized: Cosmos 78) or Zenit-2 No.30 was a Soviet, first generation, low resolution, optical film-return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1965. A Zenit-2 spacecraft, Kosmos 78 was the thirtieth of eighty-one such satellites to be launched[4][5] and had a mass of 4,730 kilograms (10,430 lb).

Kosmos 78 was launched by a Vostok-2 rocket, serial number U15001-02,[6] flying from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 11:17 GMT on 14 August 1965, and following its successful arrival in orbit the spacecraft received its Kosmos designation; along with the International Designator 1965-066A and the Satellite Catalog Number 01505.

Kosmos 78 was operated in a low Earth orbit; at an epoch of 14 August 1965, it had a perigee of 218 kilometres (135 mi), an apogee of 298 kilometres (185 mi), an inclination of 69.0° and an orbital period of 89.9 minutes. On 22 August 1965, after eight days of operation the satellite was deorbited, with its return capsule descending by parachute for recovery by Soviet force.[7]

References