Kosmos 18

Kosmos 18
Mission type Optical imaging
COSPAR ID 1963-018A
SATCAT № 586
Mission duration 9 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 24 May 1963, 10:34:06 (1963-05-24UTC10:34:06Z) UTC[2]
Rocket Vostok-2
Launch site Baikonur 1/5
End of mission
Disposal Recovered
Landing date 2 June 1963 (1963-06-03)
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Low Earth
Perigee 203 kilometres (126 mi)
Apogee 278 kilometres (173 mi)
Inclination 64.9 degrees
Period 89.31 minutes
Epoch 30 May 1963[3]

Kosmos 18 (Russian: Космос 18 meaning Cosmos 18) or Zenit-2 No.11 was a Soviet optical film-return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1963. A Zenit-2 satellite, Kosmos 18 was the eleventh of eighty-one such spacecraft 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 E15000-12,[6] was used to launch Kosmos 18. The launch took place at 10:34:06 UTC on 24 May 1963, using Site 1/5 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.[2] Following its successful arrival in orbit the spacecraft received its Kosmos designation, along with the International Designator 1963-018A and the Satellite Catalog Number 586.[1]

Kosmos 18 was operated in a low Earth orbit. On 30 May 1963 it had a perigee of 203 kilometres (126 mi), an apogee of 278 kilometres (173 mi), with inclination of 64.9 degrees and an orbital period of 89.31 minutes.[3] Having spent nine days in orbit, the spacecraft was deorbited on 2 June 1963. Its return capsule descended under parachute and was recovered by Soviet forces.[5] In addition to its imaging mission, Kosmos 18 was used to conduct measurements of radiation levels in low Earth orbit.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Cosmos 18". National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  2. 1 2 McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  3. 1 2 McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  4. Krebs, Gunter. "Zenit-2 (11F61)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  5. 1 2 Wade, Mark. "Zenit-2". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  6. Wade, Mark. "Vostok 8A92". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
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