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 309
// optical imaging · 1969

Cosmos 309

Cosmos 309 was launched on November 12, 1969 aboard a Voskhod 11A57 from Plesetsk. Latest status in GCAT: landed (Nov 20, 1969).

COSPAR 1969-098ANORAD 4223Soviet Union

Identity

Name in GCAT
Kosmos-309
Common name
Cosmos 309
Payload designation
Zenit-2 No. 80L
Other names
:C,:RC,11F61 No. Yu15001-02:RA
International designator
1969-098A
NORAD catalog number
4223
GCAT identifier
S04223
UN registration
A/AC.105/INF.218

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
November 12, 1969 · 11:30 UTC
Launch record
1969-098Success
Spaceport
Plesetsk · pad LC41/1

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT)
LLEO/I
Perigee
183 km
Apogee
363 km
Inclination
65.41°
Status
Landed
Status date
November 20, 1969
Last known active
Nov 20, 1969
End of operations
Nov 20, 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 Q12907680 (CC0).