# Cosmos 367

> soviet satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q3400866](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3400866)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-367

## Summary  
Cosmos 367 was a Soviet nuclear-powered surveillance satellite launched in 1970 as part of the US-A series. It was designed for radar ocean reconnaissance and operated using a nuclear reactor, providing 3 kilowatts of power. The satellite was deployed via a Tsyklon-2 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.  

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: October 3, 1970, at 10:26:45 UTC.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Tsyklon-2 (a variant of the Tsyklon rocket family).  
- **Mass**: 3,800.125 kilograms.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1970-079A.  
- **Orbit**: 932 km periapsis, 1,030 km apoapsis, 65.3° inclination, 104.5-minute orbital period.  
- **Power Source**: 3 kW nuclear reactor.  
- **Mission Type**: Radar ocean surveillance (US-A class satellite).  

## FAQs  
### Q: When was Cosmos 367 launched?  
A: Cosmos 367 was launched on October 3, 1970, at 10:26:45 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 90.  

### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 367?  
A: It was part of the US-A series, designed for radar ocean reconnaissance using nuclear power for extended operations.  

### Q: What made Cosmos 367 unique?  
A: It utilized a nuclear reactor for power, enabling long-term surveillance missions, and was launched via the Tsyklon-2 rocket, a specialized Soviet/Ukrainian launch vehicle.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 367 represents a critical component of the Soviet Union’s Cold War-era surveillance capabilities. As part of the US-A series, it leveraged nuclear power to conduct prolonged radar reconnaissance of ocean surfaces, tracking naval activities and contributing to strategic military intelligence. Its use of a Tsyklon-2 rocket highlighted advancements in Soviet space technology, particularly in deploying specialized payloads. The satellite’s design and mission underscore the geopolitical importance of space-based surveillance during the Cold War, showcasing the intersection of nuclear energy and space exploration in military applications.  

## Notable For  
- **Nuclear Power**: Operated using a 3 kW nuclear reactor, enabling sustained mission durations.  
- **Specialized Launch Vehicle**: Deployed via the Tsyklon-2, a rocket tailored for sensitive military payloads.  
- **Orbital Parameters**: Maintained a low Earth orbit with specific inclination (65.3°) optimized for ocean surveillance.  
- **US-A Series**: Part of a classified satellite program critical to Soviet naval intelligence gathering.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date/Time**: October 3, 1970, at 10:26:45 UTC.  
- **Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 90 (also referenced generally as Baikonur Cosmodrome).  
- **Rocket**: Tsyklon-2 (a derivative of the Tsyklon launch vehicle family).  

### Satellite Specifications  
- **Mass**: 3,800.125 kg.  
- **Power**: 3 kW nuclear reactor.  
- **Orbit**:  
  - Periapsis: 932 km.  
  - Apoapsis: 1,030 km.  
  - Inclination: 65.3°.  
  - Period: 104.5 minutes.  
  - Eccentricity: 0.006653.  

### Mission and Operations  
- **Class**: US-A, a nuclear-powered radar ocean reconnaissance satellite.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1970-079A.  
- **Function**: Conducting surveillance of ocean surfaces, including tracking naval vessels and monitoring maritime activity.  

### Legacy  
- **Classification**: Part of a secretive Soviet military satellite program.  
- **Technology**: Demonstrated the integration of nuclear power systems in space-based reconnaissance, a hallmark of Cold War-era technological competition.  
- **Launch Heritage**: The Tsyklon-2 rocket later became associated with Ukrainian space efforts post-Soviet dissolution.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report