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. Kosmos 15
// optical imaging · 1963

Kosmos 15

Soviet reconnaissance satellite (Zenit 2-9). Kosmos 15 was launched on April 22, 1963 aboard a Vostok 8A92 from Baikonur. Latest status in GCAT: landed (Apr 27, 1963).

COSPAR 1963-011ANORAD 569Soviet Union

Identity

Name in GCAT
Kosmos-15
Common name
Kosmos 15
Payload designation
Zenit-2 No. 8L
International designator
1963-011A
NORAD catalog number
569
GCAT identifier
S00569
UN registration
A/AC.105/INF.036

Mission

Mission type
Optical imaging
Use
Defense
Program
Zenit-2 LKI
Owner
OKB-1
Country
Soviet Union
Builder
OKB-1 im. S.P. Korolev
Platform (bus)
Zenit-2

Launch

Date
April 22, 1963 · 08:30 UTC
Launch record
1963-011Success
Spaceport
Baikonur · pad LC1

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT)
LLEO/I
Perigee
160 km
Apogee
357 km
Inclination
64.97°
Status
Landed
Status date
April 27, 1963
Last known active
Apr 27, 1963
End of operations
Apr 27, 1963

Size

Mass
2,100 kg
Dry mass
2,100 kg
Total mass with attached objects
4,700 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 Q1119584 (CC0).