Kosmos 261

Soviet satellite. Kosmos 261 was launched on December 19, 1968 aboard a Kosmos 11K63 from Plesetsk. Latest status in GCAT: reentered (orbital decay) (Feb 12, 1969).

COSPAR 1968-117ANORAD 3624Soviet Union

Identity

Name in GCAT: Kosmos-261
Common name: Kosmos 261
Payload designation: DS-U2-GK No. 1
International designator: 1968-117A
NORAD catalog number: 3624
GCAT identifier: S03624
UN registration: A/AC.105/INF.203

Mission

Mission type: Space science
Use: Civil government
Program: DS-U2-GK
Owner: Yuzhnoe
Country: Soviet Union
Builder: Southern State Design Bureau
Platform (bus): DS-U2

Launch

Date: December 19, 1968 · 23:55 UTC
Launch record: 1968-117Success
Rocket: Kosmos 11K63
Spaceport: Plesetsk · pad LC133/3

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): LLEO/I
Perigee: 201 km
Apogee: 611 km
Inclination: 71.04°
Status: Reentered (orbital decay)
Status date: February 12, 1969
Last known active: Feb 12, 1969
End of operations: Feb 12, 1969

Size

Mass: 335 kg
Dry mass: 335 kg
Length: 2.1 m
Diameter: 1.50 m
Span: 3.0 m

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q53017 (CC0).