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 UTC[2] |
| Rocket | Vostok-2 |
| Launch site | Baikonur 1/5 |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Recovered |
| Landing date | 2 June 1963 |
| 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 2 3 4 5 "Cosmos 18". National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
- 1 2 McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
- 1 2 McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
- ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "Zenit-2 (11F61)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
- 1 2 Wade, Mark. "Zenit-2". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
- ↑ Wade, Mark. "Vostok 8A92". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 13 December 2013.