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DS-P1-M
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Code Name: Lira. Class: Military. Type: ASAT Target. Destination: Medium Earth Orbit. Nation: Ukraine. Agency: MO SSSR. Manufacturer: Yuzhnoye.

Target for IS ASAT systems tests.

A lighter target that could be launched by the smaller Kosmos rocket replaced the first R-36 launched IS-P target. Developed by KB Yuzhnoye (KB-3 Section; Chief Designer V M Kovtunenko). Although it acted as a target for the IS anti-satellite system, it was designed for both anti-ballistic missile and anti-satellite testing. It was more than a passive target, including an impact registration system and elements of the hit (direction, velocity, etc.). First flight trials were in August 1970. It was in service from 1973 to 1983, at which time the Soviet Union unilaterally abandoned anti-satellite operations. An upgraded version flown from 1975 carried the code name Lira and had unknown differences to the original design.

Typical orbit: 689 km circular orbit, 65.6 deg inclination. Mass: 600 kg (1,320 lb).

DS-P1-M Chronology
  • 1970 December 22 - DS-P1-M s/n 1 - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. FAILURE: First stage failed 1 second after launch. Mass: 600 kg (1,320 lb).
    Target for IS ASAT systems tests. First test of Yangel-desinged target failed to reach orbit.

  • 1971 February 9 - Cosmos 394 - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 650 kg (1,430 lb). Perigee: 522 km (324 mi). Apogee: 552 km (342 mi). Inclination: 65.80 deg. Period: 95.40 min.
    Target for IS ASAT systems tests. First test using Yangel-designed lighter, cheaper target launched by Kosmos 11K65M booster from Plesetsk.

  • 1971 March 18 - Cosmos 400 - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 650 kg (1,430 lb). Perigee: 990 km (610 mi). Apogee: 995 km (618 mi). Inclination: 65.80 deg. Period: 105.00 min.
    ASAT target for Cosmos 404 interceptor.

  • 1971 November 29 - Cosmos 459 - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 650 kg (1,430 lb). Perigee: 199 km (123 mi). Apogee: 286 km (177 mi). Inclination: 65.00 deg. Period: 89.40 min.
    ASAT target for Cosmos 462 interceptor.

  • 1972 September 29 - Cosmos 521 - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 650 kg (1,430 lb). Perigee: 987 km (613 mi). Apogee: 992 km (616 mi). Inclination: 65.80 deg. Period: 104.90 min.
    ASAT target launched to test modifications to ASAT interceptor. Interceptor launch cancelled due to technical failure in target telemetry system. Signature of SALT treaty in May 1972 resulted in military being ordered to discontinue further ASAT tests.

  • 1975 December 19 - DS-P1-M - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. FAILURE: Launch vehicle failed to orbit - unknown cause. Mass: 650 kg (1,430 lb). Apogee: 500 km (310 mi).
    Target for IS ASAT systems tests.

  • 1976 February 12 - Cosmos 803 - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 650 kg (1,430 lb). Perigee: 505 km (313 mi). Apogee: 555 km (344 mi). Inclination: 65.90 deg. Period: 95.20 min.
    ASAT target. Beginning of test of 'second generation' ASAT interceptor. Objective was to complete test series by 1978 ABM treaty date.

  • 1976 July 8 - Cosmos 839 - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 650 kg (1,430 lb). Perigee: 915 km (568 mi). Apogee: 2,053 km (1,275 mi). Inclination: 65.90 deg. Period: 115.60 min.
    ASAT target for Cosmos 843 interceptor.

  • 1976 December 9 - Cosmos 880 - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 650 kg (1,430 lb). Perigee: 558 km (346 mi). Apogee: 614 km (381 mi). Inclination: 65.80 deg. Period: 96.30 min.
    ASAT target for Cosmos 886 interceptor.

  • 1977 May 19 - Cosmos 909 - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 650 kg (1,430 lb). Perigee: 985 km (612 mi). Apogee: 2,111 km (1,311 mi). Inclination: 65.90 deg. Period: 117.00 min.
    Target for IS ASAT systems tests.

  • 1977 October 21 - Cosmos 959 - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 650 kg (1,430 lb). Perigee: 146 km (90 mi). Apogee: 850 km (520 mi). Inclination: 65.80 deg. Period: 94.60 min.
    ASAT target for Cosmos 961 interceptor.

  • 1977 December 13 - Cosmos 967 - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 650 kg (1,430 lb). Perigee: 961 km (597 mi). Apogee: 1,003 km (623 mi). Inclination: 65.80 deg. Period: 104.70 min.
    ASAT target for Cosmos 970 interceptor.

  • 1980 April 3 - Cosmos 1171 - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 650 kg (1,430 lb). Perigee: 969 km (602 mi). Apogee: 1,001 km (621 mi). Inclination: 65.80 deg. Period: 104.80 min.
    ASAT target for Cosmos 1174 interceptor. First in a series of tests to validate functioning of system after extended storage.

  • 1981 January 21 - Cosmos 1241 - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 650 kg (1,430 lb). Perigee: 989 km (614 mi). Apogee: 995 km (618 mi). Inclination: 65.80 deg. Period: 105.00 min.
    ASAT target for Cosmos 1243 and Cosmos 1258 interceptors.

  • 1982 June 6 - Cosmos 1375 - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/2. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Mass: 650 kg (1,430 lb). Perigee: 986 km (612 mi). Apogee: 1,003 km (623 mi). Inclination: 65.80 deg. Period: 105.00 min.
    Target for IS ASAT systems tests.

Bibliography:

  • McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page (launch records), Harvard University, 1997-present. Web Address when accessed: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.
  • JPL Mission and Spacecraft Library, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1997. Web Address when accessed: http://msl.jpl.nasa.gov/home.html.
  • Agapov, V, Novosti Kosmonavtiki, "K zapusku pervovo ISZ serii 'DS'", 1997, Issue 6.
  • Zheleznyakov, Aleksandr, Istoriya Rossiyskoi Sovetskoi Kosmonavtiki, "Istrebitel Sputnikov", Aleksandr Krasnikov Web Page, 1998. Web Address when accessed: http://www.aha.ru/~kai/spaceflt/projects/istr.html.
  • Melnik, T G, Voenno-Kosmicheskiy Siliy, Nauka, Moscow, 1997..
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© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2008 except where otherwise noted.
DS-P1-M
DS-P1-M target. Each face of the armoured polyhedronal satellite was covered with plates to measure the direction and magnitude of impact of shrapnel from the IS-A ASAT satellite....
Credit- © Mark Wade
DS-P1-M target. Each face of the armoured polyhedronal satellite was covered with plates to measure the direction and magnitude of impact of shrapnel from the IS-A ASAT satellite.