# Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik

> family of Soviet satellites

**Wikidata**: [Q2579391](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2579391)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dnepropetrovsk_Sputnik)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dnepropetrovsk-sputnik

## Summary
Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik is a family of Soviet satellites and a spacecraft family subclass of spacecraft. The family (also known by the alias DS and by Japanese aliases ドネプロペトロフスク・スプートニク and DS衛星) encompasses multiple Soviet satellite models used for purposes including radar calibration, ionospheric research, solar research, magnetospheric research, technology demonstration, atmospheric research, ELINT, and interceptor target roles.

## Key Facts
- Instance type: Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik is an instance of a spacecraft family and is subclassed under spacecraft.
- Aliases: DS; ドネプロペトロフスク・スプートニク; DS衛星.
- Freebase identifier: /m/064205r (reference: publication_date 2013-10-28).
- Wikidata description: family of Soviet satellites.
- Sitelink count (Wikidata): 12.
- Wikipedia languages available for the topic: Bulgarian (bg), Bengali (bn), Catalan (ca), English (en), Spanish (es), French (fr), Hebrew (he), Italian (it), Japanese (ja), Portuguese (pt), Russian (ru), Ukrainian (uk).
- Topic main category on Wikipedia: Category:Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik program.
- Topic has a specific Wikipedia template: Template:Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik.
- Related spacecraft classes and models (each is a member or variant associated with the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik family):
  - DS-P1 — model of Soviet radar calibration satellite (sitelink_count: 4).
  - DS-P1-Yu — model of Soviet radar calibration satellite (sitelink_count: 3).
  - DS-P1-I — model of Soviet radar calibration satellite (sitelink_count: 3).
  - DS-P1-M — model of Soviet interceptor target satellite (sitelink_count: 3).
  - DS-U2-I — model of Soviet ionospheric research satellite (sitelink_count: 3).
  - DS-U2-IP — model of Soviet ionospheric research satellite (sitelink_count: 1).
  - DS-U2-IK — model of Soviet ionospheric research satellite (sitelink_count: 2).
  - DS-U2-V — model of Soviet ionospheric research satellite (sitelink_count: 2).
  - DS-U2-MP — model of Soviet research satellite (sitelink_count: 2).
  - DS-U2-MT — model of Soviet research satellite (sitelink_count: 1).
  - DS-U2-MG — model of Soviet magnetospheric research satellite (sitelink_count: 2).
  - DS-U2-GF — model of Soviet solar research satellite (sitelink_count: 1).
  - DS-U2-GKA — model of Soviet-French magnetospheric research satellite (sitelink_count: 3).
  - DS-U2-GK — model of Soviet magnetospheric research satellite (sitelink_count: 2).
  - DS-U2-D — model of Soviet magnetospheric research satellite (sitelink_count: 2).
  - DS-U2-K — model of Soviet magnetospheric research satellite (sitelink_count: 1).
  - DS-U3-S — model of Soviet solar research satellite (sitelink_count: 1).
  - DS-U3-IK No. 5 — former Soviet solar research satellite, lost in a launch failure (sitelink_count: 1).
  - DS-MT — model of Soviet technology demonstration and research satellite (sitelink_count: 3).
  - DS-MG — model of Soviet technology demonstration and research satellite (sitelink_count: 3).
  - DS-MO — model of Soviet technology demonstration satellite (sitelink_count: 3).
  - DS-1 — model of Soviet technology demonstration satellite (sitelink_count: 4).
  - DS-2 — model of Soviet technology demonstration satellite (sitelink_count: 3).
  - DS-A1 — model of Soviet technology demonstration satellite (sitelink_count: 3).
  - DS-U1-IK — model of Soviet ionospheric research satellite (sitelink_count: 2).
  - DS-U1-G — model of Soviet research satellite (sitelink_count: 1).
  - DS-U1-Ya — model of Soviet magnetospheric research satellite (sitelink_count: 1).
  - DS-K-40 — model of Soviet ELINT satellite (sitelink_count: 1).
  - DS-MO / DS-MT / DS-MG etc. — various technology demonstration and research satellite classes included in the family (see above for counts).
- Specific related "Thing" satellites associated with the family (former Soviet satellites that are connected to the family):
  - Interkosmos 14 — former Soviet ionospheric research satellite (sitelink_count: 6).
  - Interkosmos 5 — former Soviet ionospheric research satellite (sitelink_count: 6).
  - Interkosmos 11 — former Soviet solar radiation research satellite (sitelink_count: 6).
  - Interkosmos 1 — former Soviet solar radiation research satellite (sitelink_count: 9).
  - Interkosmos 12 — former Soviet ionospheric research satellite (sitelink_count: 6).
  - Interkosmos 9 — former Soviet ionospheric research satellite (sitelink_count: 6).
  - Interkosmos 13 — former Soviet ionospheric research satellite (sitelink_count: 6).
  - Interkosmos 16 — former Soviet solar radiation research satellite (sitelink_count: 6).
  - Interkosmos 7 — former Soviet solar radiation research satellite (sitelink_count: 6).
  - Interkosmos 3 — former Soviet ionospheric research satellite (sitelink_count: 6).
  - Interkosmos 10 — former Soviet ionospheric research satellite (sitelink_count: 6).
  - Interkosmos 4 — former Soviet solar radiation research satellite (sitelink_count: 6).
  - Kosmos 335 — former Soviet atmospheric research satellite (sitelink_count: 8).
  - Kosmos 8 — technology demonstration satellite (sitelink_count: 12).
  - Kosmos 26 — technology demonstration satellite (sitelink_count: 11).
  - Kosmos 49 — technology demonstration satellite (sitelink_count: 10).
  - Kosmos 166 — former Soviet solar research satellite (sitelink_count: 10).
  - Kosmos 230 — former Soviet solar research satellite (sitelink_count: 7).
  - DS-U3-IK No. 5 — former Soviet solar research satellite, noted as lost in a launch failure (sitelink_count: 1).

## FAQs
Q: What is the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik program?
A: It is a family of Soviet satellites, collectively categorized as a spacecraft family and subclassed under spacecraft. The program includes multiple satellite models used for research, calibration, technology demonstration, and military test purposes.

Q: What kinds of satellite models are included in the family?
A: The family includes models for radar calibration (DS-P1, DS-P1-Yu, DS-P1-I), ionospheric research (DS-U2-I, DS-U2-IP, DS-U2-IK, DS-U1-IK, etc.), solar and solar-radiation research (DS-U3-S, DS-U2-GF, Interkosmos-linked satellites), magnetospheric research (DS-U2-MG, DS-U2-GKA, DS-U2-GK, DS-U1-Ya), technology demonstration and research (DS-MT, DS-MG, DS-MO, DS-1, DS-2, DS-A1), atmospheric research (Kosmos 335), ELINT (DS-K-40), and interceptor target roles (DS-P1-M).

Q: What specific named satellites are associated with the family?
A: Named satellites and program linkages include multiple Interkosmos missions (Interkosmos 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16) and several Kosmos-designated satellites (Kosmos 8, 26, 49, 166, 230, 335), as indicated in the program relationships.

Q: In what languages does Wikipedia have articles about Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik?
A: Wikipedia has articles in Bulgarian, Bengali, Catalan, English, Spanish, French, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Ukrainian.

Q: How is the topic represented in online knowledge bases?
A: On Wikidata the topic is described as a family of Soviet satellites, has a sitelink_count of 12, and carries the Freebase ID /m/064205r. There is also a Wikipedia template titled Template:Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik.

Q: Are there any notable failures recorded in the family?
A: One item explicitly noted in the provided material is DS-U3-IK No. 5, described as a former Soviet solar research satellite that was lost in a launch failure.

## Why It Matters
Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik matters because it represents a broad, multi-purpose family of Soviet spacecraft that supplied specialized satellite classes across scientific, technological, and military domains. The family spans radar calibration satellites, ionospheric and magnetospheric research platforms, solar and atmospheric research missions, ELINT and interceptor-target roles, and technology demonstrators. This breadth made the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik family a flexible toolkit for Soviet space activity, able to serve experimental science (solar and ionospheric studies), operational testing (radar calibration, interceptor targets), and technology validation (multiple DS-* technology demonstration classes). The existence of many subclass models and linkages to Interkosmos and Kosmos missions shows the program’s integration into both civilian scientific programs and state-directed test and demonstration activities. For researchers, historians, and catalogers, the family is a key organizing concept for understanding a wide range of Soviet-era satellite missions and vehicle models.

## Notable For
- Being a defined "spacecraft family" that is subclassed under the general category spacecraft.
- Encompassing a wide variety of mission roles: radar calibration, ionospheric research, solar and solar-radiation research, magnetospheric research, atmospheric research, ELINT, interceptor target missions, and multiple technology demonstration types.
- Including many distinct DS-model classes (e.g., DS-P1, DS-U2-I, DS-U3-S, DS-MT) that denote mission-specific variants.
- Connection to multiple Interkosmos missions and several Kosmos-designated satellites, reflecting both scientific collaboration and national program integration.
- Presence of a documented launch loss: DS-U3-IK No. 5 is recorded as lost in a launch failure.
- Availability across many language Wikipedias (12 languages), indicating broad informational coverage.
- Associated Freebase identifier (/m/064205r) and a dedicated Wikipedia template (Template:Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik).

## Body

### Classification and Identity
- Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik is cataloged as a spacecraft family.  
- It is subclassed under the general class spacecraft.  
- The Wikidata description succinctly labels it a "family of Soviet satellites."  
- The topic is linked to a Wikipedia template titled Template:Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik and categorized under Category:Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik program.

### Aliases and Identifiers
- Common short alias: DS.  
- Japanese aliases provided: ドネプロペトロフスク・スプートニク and DS衛星.  
- External knowledge identifier: Freebase ID /m/064205r (reference date 2013-10-28).  
- Wikidata reports a sitelink_count of 12 for the topic.

### Language Coverage and Wikipedia Presence
- Wikipedia articles exist in at least 12 languages: bg, bn, ca, en, es, fr, he, it, ja, pt, ru, uk.  
- The family has a dedicated Wikipedia template used to organize related articles.

### Variant Models and Their Functions
- Radar calibration and interceptor-target models:
  - DS-P1 — radar calibration satellite model (sitelink_count: 4).  
  - DS-P1-Yu — radar calibration model (sitelink_count: 3).  
  - DS-P1-I — radar calibration model (sitelink_count: 3).  
  - DS-P1-M — interceptor target satellite model (sitelink_count: 3).
- Ionospheric research models:
  - DS-U2-I — ionospheric research model (sitelink_count: 3).  
  - DS-U2-IP — ionospheric research model (sitelink_count: 1).  
  - DS-U2-IK — ionospheric research model (sitelink_count: 2).  
  - DS-U1-IK — ionospheric research model (sitelink_count: 2).  
- Solar and solar-radiation research models:
  - DS-U3-S — solar research model (sitelink_count: 1).  
  - DS-U2-GF — solar research model (sitelink_count: 1).  
  - Interkosmos-series satellites listed as solar radiation research (Interkosmos 1, 4, 7, 11, 16).  
  - DS-U3-IK No. 5 — solar research satellite noted as lost in a launch failure (sitelink_count: 1).
- Magnetospheric research models:
  - DS-U2-MG — magnetospheric research model (sitelink_count: 2).  
  - DS-U2-GKA — Soviet–French magnetospheric research model (sitelink_count: 3).  
  - DS-U2-GK — magnetospheric research model (sitelink_count: 2).  
  - DS-U2-K — magnetospheric research model (sitelink_count: 1).  
  - DS-U1-Ya — magnetospheric research model (sitelink_count: 1).
- Technology demonstration and research models:
  - DS-MT — technology demonstration and research model (sitelink_count: 3).  
  - DS-MG — technology demonstration and research model (sitelink_count: 3).  
  - DS-MO — technology demonstration model (sitelink_count: 3).  
  - DS-1 — technology demonstration model (sitelink_count: 4).  
  - DS-2 — technology demonstration model (sitelink_count: 3).  
  - DS-A1 — technology demonstration model (sitelink_count: 3).  
  - DS-U2-MT and DS-U2-MP — additional research/technology variants (sitelink_count: 1 and 2 respectively).
- Other models:
  - DS-K-40 — ELINT satellite model (sitelink_count: 1).  
  - DS-U1-G — a model classified as a Soviet research satellite (sitelink_count: 1).

### Named Associated Missions and Satellites
- Interkosmos linkages: The family is related to multiple Interkosmos missions that are described as ionospheric or solar radiation research satellites. Specifically named are Interkosmos 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 16 (each with sitelink_count: 6 for most Interkosmos entries, Interkosmos 1 has sitelink_count: 9).
- Kosmos designations: Several Kosmos satellites are cited in relation to the family, including Kosmos 8 (sitelink_count: 12), Kosmos 26 (sitelink_count: 11), Kosmos 49 (sitelink_count: 10), Kosmos 166 (sitelink_count: 10), Kosmos 230 (sitelink_count: 7), and Kosmos 335 (sitelink_count: 8). These are classified as technology demonstration or research satellites, or former Soviet solar/atmospheric research satellites in the source material.

### Program Scope and Roles
- The Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik family spans scientific research (ionospheric, solar, magnetospheric, atmospheric), military and test roles (radar calibration, interceptor targets, ELINT), and technology demonstration.  
- Multiple DS subclasses indicate mission specialization built into the family structure.  
- The presence of a Soviet–French magnetospheric model (DS-U2-GKA) demonstrates at least one international component within the family’s model set, as described in the provided material.

### Noted Incidents
- DS-U3-IK No. 5 is explicitly recorded as a former Soviet solar research satellite that was lost in a launch failure.

### Cataloging and Reference Data
- Wikidata properties include instance_of = spacecraft family, subclass_of = spacecraft, sitelink_count = 12, and wikipedia_title = Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik.  
- A Wikipedia template exists for the topic (Template:Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik).  
- The Freebase ID listed is /m/064205r (with a 2013-10-28 reference).

### Category and Community Context
- On Wikipedia the topic is organized under Category:Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik program.  
- Multiple interlinked articles and templates across a dozen languages indicate the topic has structured documentation and cross-language interest.

### Limitations of Provided Data
- The provided source material does not include launch dates, manufacturing organizations, technical specifications (mass, dimensions, power), operational lifetimes, or mission-by-mission outcomes beyond the single noted launch failure. All statements above are strictly limited to the relationships and properties supplied in the source material.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013