Flight
- Date and time (UTC)
- December 27, 1977, 09:20
- Launch designation
- 1977-124
- Mission
- Zenit-2M
- Flight name
- Kosmos-973
- Vehicle flight ID
- 77052 -243
- Year
- Launches in 1977
Orbit and payload
- Initial apogee
- 329 km
- Payload mass to orbit
- 6.0 t
- Payloads
- 2
- GCAT launch code
- OS
Payloads
| Payload | Designation | Owner | Mission type | Mass | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kosmos-973 | 1977-124ANORAD 10540 | Main Space Forces Directorate | Optical imaging | 2,200 kg | Landed · Jan 9, 1978 |
| Kapsula Kosmosa-973 | 1977-124DNORAD 10558 | Central Specialized Design Bureau | Technology | 630 kg | Reentered (orbital decay) · Jan 25, 1978 |
Source: GCAT launch list and payload catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0). Orbit values are the initial orbit reported for the launch.