Kosmos 2312

Kosmos 2312
Mission typeEarly warning
COSPAR ID1995-026A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.23584
Mission duration4 years [1]
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeUS-K[2]
Launch mass1,900 kilograms (4,200 lb)[3]
Start of mission
Launch date24 May 1995, 20:10 (1995-05-24UTC20:10Z) UTC
RocketMolniya-M/2BL[2]
Launch sitePlesetsk Cosmodrome[2][3]
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeMolniya [2]
Perigee altitude653 kilometres (406 mi)[4]
Apogee altitude39,708 kilometres (24,673 mi)[4]
Inclination62.9 degrees[4]
Period717.90 minutes[4]

Kosmos 2312 (Russian: Космос 2312 meaning Cosmos 2312) is a Russian US-K missile early warning satellite which was launched in 1995 as part of the Russian Space Forces' Oko programme. The satellite is designed to identify missile launches using optical telescopes and infrared sensors.[2]

Kosmos 2312 was launched from Site 16/2 at Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia.[5] A Molniya-M carrier rocket with a 2BL upper stage was used to perform the launch, which took place at 20:10 UTC on 24 May 1995.[3] The launch successfully placed the satellite into a molniya orbit. It subsequently received its Kosmos designation, and the international designator 1995-026A.[3] The United States Space Command assigned it the Satellite Catalog Number 23584.[3]

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