June 1983:satellite digest

COSMOS 1424 1982-117A

Launched: 1000, 16 Dec 1982 from Tyuratam by A-2.

Spacecraft data: Possibly based on the Vostok manned spacecraft with spherical reentry module, instrument unit and a cylindrical, supplementary payload at the forward end. Length about 6 m. diameter (max) 2.4 m and mass around 6000 kg.

Mission: Military photo-reconnaissance, recovered or re-entered after 43 days.

Orbit: 171X349 km. 89.70 min.

64.90 deg. manoeuvrable.

AMS 5 1982-118A

Launched: 0230, 21 Dec 1982 from Vandenberg AFB by Thor Burner 2.

Spacecraft data: Not available.

Mission: Military meteoroligical meteorological satellite.

Orbit: 815X828 km. 101.35 min,

98.72 deg.

COSMOS 1425 1982-119A

Launched: 0910, 23 Dec 1982 from Tyuratam by A-2.

Spacecraft data: As Cosmos 1424.

Mission: Military photo-reconnaissance, recovered after 14 days.

Orbit: 348X415 km. 92.20 min,

69.97 deg.

COSMOS 1426 1982-120A

Launched: 1200, 28 Dec 1982 from Tyuratam by A-2.

Spacecraft data: Possibly as Cosmos 1424, although the design may have been based on the Soyuz vehicle.

Mission: Photo-reconnaissance and possibly carrying out parallel studies with the unmanned Salyut 7.

Orbit: 205X351 km. 90.00 min, 50.53 deg. manoeuvrable.

COSMOS 1427 1982-121A

Launched: 1200, 29 Dec 1982 from Plesetsk by C-1.

Spacecraft data: Not available.

Mission: Possibly a radar calibration satellite.

Orbit: 445 X 500 km. 94.03 min, 65.84 deg.

COSMOS 1428 1983-1A

Launched: 1350, 12 Jan 1983 from Plesetsk by C-1.

Spacecraft data: Cylindrical body with domed ends, enclosed in a cylindrical solar array with length and diameter both about 2 m, mass around 700 kg.

Mission: Navigation satellite.

Orbit: 955X1007 km. 104.74 min, 82.91 deg.

COSMOS 1429-1436 1983-2A-H

Launched: 0220. 19 Jan 1983 from Plesetsk by C-1.

Spacecraft data: Probably spheriodal in shape, around 1 m long. 0.8 m diameter and mass approx 40 kg each.

Mission: To provide tactical communications between troops and units in the field.

Orbits: 1401 X1468 km, 114.56 min, 74.02 deg (lowest), and 1468X1521 km. 115.87 min, 74.02 deg (highest).

COSMOS 1437 1983-3A

Launched: 1730, 20 Jan 1983 from Plesetsk by A-1.

Spacecraft data: Possibly based on the Meteor satellite body with a cylinder, length about 5 m, diameter about 1.5 m and mass around 2000 kg.

Mission: Probably military in nature.

Orbit: 630X657 km, 97.60 min.

81.17 deg.