DS-P1-Yu

DS-P1-Yu
Mission typeRadar calibration satellite
OperatorSoviet Union
Spacecraft properties
Launch mass193–240 kg
Orbital parameters
Period60 days

DS-P1-Yu was a series of Soviet satellites developed by the Yuzhnoye Design Office, for use in calibrating the Dnestr space surveillance and early-warning radar system. Between 1964 and 1976, a total of 79 satellites were launched on Kosmos and Kosmos-2I launchers, with seven failing to reach orbit.[1][2]

The dodecahedral satellites had a mass of 193–240 kilograms (425–529 lb) and an operational lifetime of 60 days. They were covered in solar panels and a metallic mesh transparent to visible spectrum light and opaque to radio frequencies.[1][2]

The DS-P1-Yu replaced the similar DS-P1, of which four were launched between 1962 and 1964, with one failure to reach orbit.[3]

  1. ^ a b "Adjustment and Calibration Spacecraft". Yuzhnoye Design Office. Archived from the original on 23 March 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  2. ^ a b Krebs, Gunter Dirk. "DS-P1-Yu (11F618)". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  3. ^ Krebs, Gunter Dirk. "DS-P1". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 6 May 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2017.