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Sfera

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Cosmos 381 Cosmos 381 / Ionosfernaya Credit: © Mark Wade

AKA: 11F621. Status: Operational 1968. First Launch: 1968-02-20. Last Launch: 1978-12-26. Number: 18 . Gross mass: 800 kg (1,760 lb). Height: 3.00 m (9.80 ft). Span: 2.04 m (6.68 ft).

The spacecraft was equipped with measurement and signaling apparatus, providing assistance in measuring astronomical-geodetic points of military topographical research for the Red Army General Staff. The satellite allowed improved accuracy for long range weapons.

Reshetnev was the Chief Designer. Flight tests were from 1968 to 1972, and the system was accepted for military service in 1973. Series flights were from 1973 to 1980. The Kosmos 3M launcher was used. Colonel Ye S Shchapov was in charge of Sfera development. Sfera used the basic KAUR-1 bus, consisting of a 2.035 m diameter cylindrical spacecraft body, with solar cells and radiators of the thermostatic temperature regulating system mounted on the exterior. Orientation was by a single-axis magneto-gravitational (gravity gradient boom) passive system. The hermetically sealed compartment had the equipment mounted in cruciform bays, with the chemical batteries protecting the radio and guidance equipment mounted at the center.

Photo Gallery

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Sfera Credit: Manufacturer Image

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• Cosmos 203 - . Mass: 600 kg (1,320 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-1. Spacecraft: Sfera. USAF Sat Cat: 3129 . COSPAR: 1968-011A. Apogee: 1,201 km (746 mi). Perigee: 1,183 km (735 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 109.30 min. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space. .

• Sfera s/n 12L - . Mass: 800 kg (1,760 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-1. Spacecraft: Sfera.

• Cosmos 256 - . Mass: 600 kg (1,320 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-1. Spacecraft: Sfera. USAF Sat Cat: 3576 . COSPAR: 1968-106A. Apogee: 1,223 km (759 mi). Perigee: 1,172 km (728 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 109.40 min. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space. .

• Cosmos 272 - . Mass: 600 kg (1,320 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-1. Spacecraft: Sfera. USAF Sat Cat: 3818 . COSPAR: 1969-024A. Apogee: 1,208 km (750 mi). Perigee: 1,178 km (731 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 109.30 min. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space. .

• Cosmos 312 - . Mass: 600 kg (1,320 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-1. Spacecraft: Sfera. USAF Sat Cat: 4254 . COSPAR: 1969-103A. Apogee: 1,175 km (730 mi). Perigee: 1,141 km (708 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 108.50 min. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space. .

• Cosmos 409 - . Mass: 600 kg (1,320 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-1. Spacecraft: Sfera. USAF Sat Cat: 5180 . COSPAR: 1971-038A. Apogee: 1,211 km (752 mi). Perigee: 1,176 km (730 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 109.30 min. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space. .

• Cosmos 457 - . Mass: 600 kg (1,320 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-1. Spacecraft: Sfera. USAF Sat Cat: 5614 . COSPAR: 1971-099A. Apogee: 1,218 km (756 mi). Perigee: 1,183 km (735 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 109.40 min. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space. .

• Cosmos 480 - . Mass: 600 kg (1,320 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-1. Spacecraft: Sfera. USAF Sat Cat: 5905 . COSPAR: 1972-019A. Apogee: 1,199 km (745 mi). Perigee: 1,173 km (728 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 109.10 min. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space. .

• Cosmos 539 - . Mass: 600 kg (1,320 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-1. Spacecraft: Sfera. USAF Sat Cat: 6319 . COSPAR: 1972-102A. Apogee: 1,379 km (856 mi). Perigee: 1,342 km (833 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 112.90 min. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space. .

• Cosmos 585 - . Mass: 550 kg (1,210 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-1. Spacecraft: Sfera. USAF Sat Cat: 6825 . COSPAR: 1973-064A. Apogee: 1,404 km (872 mi). Perigee: 1,375 km (854 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 113.60 min. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space. .

• Cosmos 650 - . Mass: 600 kg (1,320 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-1. Spacecraft: Sfera. USAF Sat Cat: 7281 . COSPAR: 1974-028A. Apogee: 1,401 km (870 mi). Perigee: 1,368 km (850 mi). Inclination: 74.00 deg. Period: 113.40 min. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space. .

• Cosmos 675 - . Mass: 600 kg (1,320 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-1. Spacecraft: Sfera. USAF Sat Cat: 7424 . COSPAR: 1974-069A. Apogee: 1,424 km (884 mi). Perigee: 1,364 km (847 mi). Inclination: 74.10 deg. Period: 113.60 min. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space. .

• Cosmos 708 - . Mass: 650 kg (1,430 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-1. Spacecraft: Sfera. USAF Sat Cat: 7663 . COSPAR: 1975-012A. Apogee: 1,410 km (870 mi). Perigee: 1,368 km (850 mi). Inclination: 69.20 deg. Period: 113.60 min. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space. .

• Cosmos 770 - . Mass: 650 kg (1,430 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-1. Spacecraft: Sfera. USAF Sat Cat: 8325 . COSPAR: 1975-089A. Apogee: 1,208 km (750 mi). Perigee: 1,165 km (723 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 109.10 min. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space. .

• Cosmos 842 - . Mass: 650 kg (1,430 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-1. Spacecraft: Sfera. USAF Sat Cat: 9025 . COSPAR: 1976-070A. Apogee: 1,006 km (625 mi). Perigee: 966 km (600 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 104.80 min. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space..

• Cosmos 911 - . Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-1. Spacecraft: Sfera. USAF Sat Cat: 10019 . COSPAR: 1977-039A. Apogee: 999 km (620 mi). Perigee: 965 km (599 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 104.70 min. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space..

• Cosmos 963 - . Mass: 650 kg (1,430 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-1. Spacecraft: Sfera. USAF Sat Cat: 10491 . COSPAR: 1977-109A. Apogee: 1,206 km (749 mi). Perigee: 1,179 km (732 mi). Inclination: 82.90 deg. Period: 109.30 min. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space. .

• Cosmos 1067 - . Mass: 880 kg (1,940 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MO. Spacecraft Bus: KAUR-1. Spacecraft: Sfera. USAF Sat Cat: 11168 . COSPAR: 1978-122A. Apogee: 1,213 km (753 mi). Perigee: 1,156 km (718 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 109.10 min. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space. .