Kosmos 13

Kosmos 13
Mission type Optical imaging
COSPAR ID 1963-006A
SATCAT № 554
Mission duration 8 days[1]
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type Zenit-2
Manufacturer OKB-1
Launch mass 4,730.0 kilograms (10,427.9 lb)[1]
Start of mission
Launch date 21 March 1963, 08:30:01 (1963-03-21UTC08:30:01Z) UTC[2]
Rocket Vostok-2
Launch site Baikonur 1/5
End of mission
Disposal Recovered
Landing date 29 March 1963 (1963-03-30)
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Low Earth
Perigee 201 kilometres (125 mi)
Apogee 317 kilometres (197 mi)
Inclination 64.9 degrees
Period 89.69 minutes
Epoch 23 March 1963[3]

Kosmos 13 (Russian: Космос 13 meaning Cosmos 13) or Zenit-2 No.9 was a Soviet optical film-return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1963. A Zenit-2 spacecraft, Kosmos 13 was the eighth of eighty-one such satellites to be launched[4][5] and had a mass of 4,730.0 kilograms (10,427.9 lb).[1]

A Vostok-2 rocket, serial number T15000-01,[6] was used to launch Kosmos 13. The launch took place from Site 1/5 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 08:30:01 UTC on 21 March 1963.[2] Following its successful arrival in orbit the spacecraft received its Kosmos designation, along with the International Designator 1963-006A and the Satellite Catalog Number 554.[1]

Kosmos 13 was operated in a low Earth orbit. On 23 March 1963 it had a perigee of 201 kilometres (125 mi), an apogee of 317 kilometres (197 mi), with inclination of 64.9 degrees and an orbital period of 89.69 minutes. After eight days in orbit, the spacecraft was deorbited on 29 March 1963, with its return capsule descending by parachute for recovery.[3] In addition to its reconnaissance payload, Kosmos 13 also carried an experiment to measure radiation levels in its environment.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Cosmos 13". National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  2. 1 2 McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  3. 1 2 McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  4. Krebs, Gunter. "Zenit-2 (11F61)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  5. 1 2 Wade, Mark. "Zenit-2". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  6. Wade, Mark. "Vostok 8A92". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
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