# Intercosmos 24

> Space weather research

**Wikidata**: [Q1541116](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1541116)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/intercosmos-24

## Summary
Intercosmos 24 was a Soviet satellite launched in 1989 to conduct space weather research, focusing on studying the Earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere. It operated in a highly inclined orbit and was part of the broader Intercosmos program, an international collaborative effort in space science. The satellite provided critical data on solar-terrestrial interactions, contributing to understanding space weather dynamics.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: September 28, 1989, at 00:04:59 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Tsyklon-3, a Soviet/Ukrainian expendable rocket.
- **Mass**: 1,400 kilograms.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1989-080A.
- **Orbit**: Highly elliptical with a periapsis of ~500 km, apoapsis of ~2,500 km, and 82.6° inclination.
- **Orbital Period**: Approximately 115 minutes.
- **Primary Mission**: Space weather research, including ionospheric and magnetospheric studies.
- **Aliases**: Активный-ИК (Aktivny-IK).

## FAQs
### Q: What was the main purpose of Intercosmos 24?
A: Intercosmos 24 was designed to study space weather, focusing on the Earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere to better understand solar-terrestrial interactions.

### Q: When and where was Intercosmos 24 launched?
A: It launched on September 28, 1989, at 00:04:59 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32 aboard a Tsyklon-3 rocket.

### Q: What made Intercosmos 24’s orbit unique?
A: Its highly inclined (82.6°) and elliptical orbit allowed comprehensive monitoring of polar and mid-latitude regions critical for space weather research.

## Why It Matters
Intercosmos 24 played a key role in advancing Soviet and international space weather research during the late Cold War era. As part of the Intercosmos program—a collaborative initiative involving Eastern Bloc countries—it facilitated shared scientific goals amid geopolitical tensions. The satellite’s focus on ionospheric and magnetospheric dynamics helped improve forecasting of solar-driven disturbances, which impact satellite operations, communications, and power grids. Its data contributed to foundational knowledge of Earth’s upper atmosphere, supporting both military and civilian applications. The mission underscored the importance of space-based monitoring for mitigating risks posed by solar activity, a concern that remains critical today as reliance on space infrastructure grows.

## Notable For
- **High-Latitude Research**: Its 82.6° orbital inclination enabled detailed observations of polar regions, crucial for studying auroral phenomena and geomagnetic storms.
- **International Collaboration**: Part of the Intercosmos program, emphasizing Eastern Bloc cooperation in space science during the late 1980s.
- **Specialized Instrumentation**: Carried sensors optimized for ionospheric and magnetospheric measurements, distinguishing it from general Earth observation satellites.
- **Long Operational Orbit**: A semi-major axis of 7,816 km supported extended mission duration, maximizing data collection opportunities.

## Body
### Launch and Deployment
Intercosmos 24 launched on September 28, 1989, at 00:04:59 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32 using a Tsyklon-3 rocket. The satellite, with a mass of 1,400 kg, was deployed into a highly elliptical orbit to optimize coverage of polar and mid-latitude regions.

### Orbital Characteristics
- **Periapsis**: ~500 km
- **Apoapsis**: ~2,500 km
- **Inclination**: 82.6°
- **Orbital Period**: ~115 minutes
- **Semi-Major Axis**: 7,816 km

These parameters allowed the satellite to conduct comprehensive studies of the ionosphere and magnetosphere, particularly in regions most affected by solar wind and geomagnetic activity.

### Mission and Instrumentation
The satellite’s primary mission was space weather research, focusing on:
- Ionospheric plasma dynamics
- Magnetospheric particle interactions
- Solar wind effects on Earth’s magnetic field

Its instrumentation included specialized sensors for measuring electromagnetic fields, particle fluxes, and plasma densities, tailored to the mission’s scientific objectives.

### Legacy
Intercosmos 24 operated as part of the broader Intercosmos program, which fostered scientific collaboration among Soviet-aligned nations. Its data supported advancements in space weather forecasting and upper atmospheric physics, contributing to both military strategic interests and civilian scientific research. The mission highlighted the Soviet Union’s capabilities in targeted space-based Earth observation during a period of heightened global interest in environmental and geophysical monitoring.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report