2026-244Latest orbital launch: Falcon 9 · Starlink Group 15-16 · Oct 27, 2026 · VandenbergLaunch record →
sci-techmaventhe history of spaceflight, in data
  1. Home
  2. Spacecraft
  3. Cosmos 278
// optical imaging · 1969

Cosmos 278

Cosmos 278 was launched on April 9, 1969 aboard a Voskhod 11A57 from Plesetsk. Latest status in GCAT: landed (Apr 17, 1969).

COSPAR 1969-034ANORAD 3883Soviet Union

Identity

Name in GCAT
Kosmos-278
Common name
Cosmos 278
Payload designation
Zenit-2 No. 78L
Other names
:C,:RC,11F61 No. V15002-10:RA
International designator
1969-034A
NORAD catalog number
3883
GCAT identifier
S03883
UN registration
A/AC.105/INF.206

Mission

Mission type
Optical imaging
Use
Defense
Program
Zenit-2 B
Owner
TsUKOS
Country
Soviet Union
Builder
TsKBEM Filial No. 3
Platform (bus)
Zenit-2

Launch

Date
April 9, 1969 · 13:00 UTC
Launch record
1969-034Success
Spaceport
Plesetsk · pad LC41/1

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT)
LLEO/I
Perigee
194 km
Apogee
306 km
Inclination
65.42°
Status
Landed
Status date
April 17, 1969
Last known active
Apr 17, 1969
End of operations
Apr 17, 1969

Size

Mass
2,100 kg
Dry mass
2,100 kg
Total mass with attached objects
4,750 kg
Length
6.5 m
Diameter
2.40 m
Span
6.5 m

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q12907675 (CC0).