Kosmos 202 (Russian: Космос 202 meaning Cosmos 202), also known as DS-U2-V No.4, was a Soviet satellite which was launched in 1968 as part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik programme. It was a 325 kilograms (717 lb) spacecraft,[1][3] which was built by the Yuzhnoye Design Office, and was used to conduct classified technology development experiments for the Soviet armed forces.[4]
| Mission type | Technology |
|---|---|
| COSPAR ID | 1968-010A |
| SATCAT no. | 03128 |
| Mission duration | 33 days |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | DS-U2-V |
| Manufacturer | Yuzhnoye |
| Launch mass | 325 kg [1] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 20 February 1968, 10:03:11 GMT |
| Rocket | Kosmos-2I 63SM |
| Launch site | Kapustin Yar, Site 86/4 |
| Contractor | Yuzhnoye |
| End of mission | |
| Decay date | 24 March 1968 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric[2] |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee altitude | 213 km |
| Apogee altitude | 482 km |
| Inclination | 48.4° |
| Period | 91.5 minutes |
| Epoch | 20 February 1968 |
A Kosmos-2I 63SM carrier rocket was used to launch Kosmos 202 into low Earth orbit. The launch took place from Site 86/4 at Kapustin Yar.[5] The launch occurred at 10:03:11 GMT on 20 February 1968, and resulted in the successful insertion of the satellite into orbit.[6] Upon reaching orbit, the satellite was assigned its Kosmos designation, and received the International Designator 1968-010A. The North American Air Defense Command assigned it the catalogue number 03128.[1]
Kosmos 202 was the last of four DS-U2-V satellites to be launched.[7] It was operated in an orbit with a perigee of 213 kilometres (132 mi), an apogee of 482 kilometres (300 mi), an inclination of 48.4°, and an orbital period of 91.5 minutes.[2] On 24 March 1968, it decayed from orbit and reentered the atmosphere.[8]
