December 1982:satellite digest

COSMOS 1379 1982-60A

Launched: 1100, 18 Jun 1982 from Tyuratam by F-1.

Spacecraft data: not available.

Mission: Test of Satellite Interception System using Cosmos 1375 (1982-55A) as a target.

Orbit: 540X1021 km, 100.43 min, 65.84 degrees, de-orbited same day as launch.

COSMOS 1380 1982-61A

Launched: 1200,18 Jun 1982 from Plesetsk by C-1.

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

Mission: Navigation satellite, but early shutdown of the final rocket stage prevented successful operation.

Orbit: 146X657 km, 92.63 min, 82.90 degrees instead of the intended 1000 km, 105 min orbit. The satellite decayed due to air drag after 9 days.

COSMOS 1381 1982-62A

Launched: 1300, 18 Jun 1982 from Tyuratam by A-2.

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

Mission: Military photo-reconnaissance, recovered after 13 days.

Orbit: 372x450 km, 92.71 min, 70.38 degrees.

SOYUZ T-6 1982-63A

Launched: 1630, 24 Jun 1982 from Tyuratam by A-2.

Spacecraft data: Standard Soyuz-T design consisting of a near-spherical orbital compartment, conical re-entry module and cylindrical instrument unit. Length about 7.5 m, max diameter 2.2 m and mass around 6500 kg.

Mission: Ferry vehicle carrying visiting crew of Vladimir Dzanibekhov, Alexander Ivanchenkov and Frenchman Jean Loup Chretien to Salyut 7. Docked with Salyut 7 at 1746, 25 Jun 1982, 14 minutes earlier than planned because of a computer problem. The craft and crew landed at 1421, 2 Jul 1982 after 8 days.

Orbit: Initially 189x233 km, 88.65 min, 51.61 degrees.

COSMOS 1382 1982-64A

Launched: 0220, 25 Jun 1982 from Plesetsk by A-2-e.

Spacecraft data: Possibly based on the Molniya satellites, mass around 2 tonnes.

Mission: Part of the USSR’s missile early warning system.

Orbit: Initially a low parking orbit and then injected into a highly elliptical one of 590x39436 km, 711.12 min, 62. 82 degrees.

STS-4 1982-65A

Launched: 1500, 27 Jun 1982 from Kennedy Space Center.

Spacecraft data. Re-usable Shuttle Columbia.

Mission: Fourth and last flight in the Shuttle’s Orbital Test Programme, crewed by Ken Mattingly and Henry Hartsfield, landed after 7 days.

Orbit: 296X301 km, 90.33 min, 28.52 degrees.

COSMOS 1383 1982-66A

Launched: 2155, 29 Jun 1982 from Plesetsk by C-1.

Spacecraft data: Probably similar to the navigation satellites, see Cosmos 1380.

Mission: Test satellite for the Search and Rescue Satellite System (SARSAT), designed to pinpoint transmissions from ships and planes in distress.

Orbit: 990x1033 km, 105.36 min, 82.93 degrees.

COSMOS 1384 1982-67A

Launched: 1510, 30 Jun 1982 from Tyuratam by A-2.

Spacecraft data: Possibly as Cosmos 1381.

Mission: Military photo-reconnaissance, recovered or re-entered after 28 days.

Orbit: 170X354 km, 89.76 min, 67.15 degrees, manoeuvrable.

COSMOS 1385 1982-68A

Launched: 0800,6 Jul 1982 from Plesetsk possibly by F vehicle.

Spacecraft data: As Cosmos 1381.

Mission: Photo-reconnaissance, all or part of the payload was an Earth resources package. Recovered after 14 days.

Orbit: 186x236 km, 88.75 min, 82.33 degrees.

COSMOS 1386 1982-69A

Launched: 0951, 7 Jul 1982 from Plesetsk by C-1.

Spacecraft data: as Cosmos 1380.

Mission: Navigation satellite.

Orbit: 955x1011 km, 104.78 min, 82.96 degrees.

PROGRESS 14 1982-70A

Launched: 0958, 10 Jul 1982 from Tyuratam by A-2.

Spacecraft data: Similar in appearance to Soyuz-T except that the re-entry module is replaced by a cone shaped, non-recoverable compartment for stores.

Mission: To carry consumables and experimental material to the crew of Salyut 7. Progress 14 docked with the rear port of Salyut 7 at 1141, 12 Jul 1982. It undocked at 2211, 10 Aug 1982 and was de-orbited over the Pacific Ocean on 13 Jul 1982.

Orbit: Initially 192X258 km. 88.7 mins, 51.6 degrees and after docking with Salyut 7 it was 300x326 km, 90.72 min, 51.64 degrees.

COSMOS 1387 1982-71A, 13365

Launched: 0810, 13 Jul 1982 from Plesetsk, possibly by F vehicle.

Spacecraft data: As Cosmos 1381.

Mission: Photo reconnaissance, all or part of the payload was an Earth resources package. Recovered after 13 days.

Orbit: 212x234 km, 89.08 min, 82.34 degrees.

LANDSAT 4 1982-72A

Launched: 1500, 16 Jul 1982 from Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Spacecraft data: Irregular with two solar panels, length around 6 m, diameter around 2 m and mass around 2000 Kg.

Mission; Earth resources using a variety of scanning equipment operating in different parts of the spectrum.

Orbit; 680 x700 km, 98.62 min, 98.26 degrees.