Kosmos 7
| Mission type | Reconnaissance |
|---|---|
| Harvard designation | 1962 Alpha Iota 1 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Zenit-2 |
| Manufacturer | OKB-1 |
| Launch mass | 4,610 kilograms (10,160 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 28 July 1962, 09:18:31 UTC |
| Rocket | Vostok-2 |
| Launch site | Baikonur 1/5 |
| End of mission | |
| Landing date | 1 August 1962 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee | 197 kilometres (122 mi) |
| Apogee | 356 kilometres (221 mi) |
| Inclination | 64.9 degrees |
| Period | 90 minutes |
Kosmos 7 (Russian: Космос 7 meaning Cosmos 7), also known as Zenit-2 #4 and occasionally in the West as Sputnik 17 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched in 1962. It was the seventh satellite to be designated under the Kosmos system, and the second successful launch of a Soviet reconnaissance satellite.[1] It also marked the first successful launch of a Vostok-2, on the second attempt. The first Vostok-2 launch, also carrying a Zenit-2 satellite, suffered an engine failure seconds after launch, fell back to earth and exploded within 300 metres of the launch pad.
Vostok-2 s/n T15000-07 was used to launch Kosmos 7.[2] The launch was conducted from Site 1/5 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, and occurred at 09:18:31 GMT on 28 July 1962.[3]
Kosmos 7 was placed into a low Earth orbit with a perigee of 197 kilometres (122 mi), an apogee of 356 kilometres (221 mi), 64.9 degrees of inclination, and an orbital period of 90 minutes.[1] It conducted a four-day mission, before being deorbited and landing by parachute on 1 August.[4]
Kosmos 7 was a Zenit-2 satellite, a reconnaissance satellite derived from the Vostok spacecraft used for manned flights.[1] It was the second Zenit-2 to reach orbit, the first being Kosmos 4. The next Zenit-2 launch was Kosmos 9.[1] Kosmos 7 carried an area survey reconnaissance payload. In addition to reconnaissance, it was also used for research into radiation.
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 Wade, Mark. "Zenit-2". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
- ↑ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
- ↑ Wade, Mark. "Soyuz". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
- ↑ McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-05-23.