# Interkosmos 10

> former Soviet ionospheric research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q1095310](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1095310)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/interkosmos-10

## Summary
Interkosmos 10 was a Soviet ionospheric research satellite launched on October 30, 1973, as part of the Interkosmos program. It was part of the DS-U2-IK class and operated until its atmospheric re-entry on July 1, 1977. The satellite weighed 550 kilograms and was designed to study the Earth's ionosphere.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: October 30, 1973, at 19:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.
- **Mass**: 550 kilograms.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M rocket (serial number 53749-158).
- **Operator**: Interkosmos program.
- **Spacecraft Bus**: DS-U2.
- **Country of Origin**: Soviet Union.
- **Manufacturer**: Pivdenne Design Office.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1973-082A.
- **SCN (Satellite Catalog Number)**: 06911.
- **Deorbit Date**: July 1, 1977.
- **Parent Program**: Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik family of satellites.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Interkosmos 10?
A: Interkosmos 10 was a Soviet ionospheric research satellite designed to study the Earth's ionosphere, a region of the upper atmosphere affected by solar radiation and charged particles.

### Q: Who operated Interkosmos 10?
A: The satellite was operated by the Interkosmos program, a collaborative initiative between the Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc countries to conduct scientific research in space.

### Q: How long did Interkosmos 10 remain in orbit?
A: Interkosmos 10 was operational until July 1, 1977, when it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere.

### Q: What was the launch vehicle for Interkosmos 10?
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Kosmos-3M rocket, a Soviet carrier rocket used for deploying satellites into low Earth orbit.

### Q: What was the significance of the Interkosmos program?
A: The Interkosmos program facilitated international cooperation in space research, allowing scientists from various Eastern Bloc countries to participate in Soviet space missions.

## Why It Matters
Interkosmos 10 played a crucial role in advancing ionospheric research, contributing to our understanding of the Earth's upper atmosphere. As part of the Interkosmos program, it facilitated international collaboration in space science, allowing researchers from multiple countries to participate in Soviet space missions. The satellite's data helped scientists study the ionosphere's response to solar activity and its impact on radio communications. Its mission also supported the broader goal of advancing space-based scientific research and international cooperation in the space era.

## Notable For
- **Ionospheric Research**: Interkosmos 10 was specifically designed to study the Earth's ionosphere, a critical layer of the atmosphere for radio communications and space weather.
- **Interkosmos Program**: It was part of the Interkosmos initiative, which promoted international collaboration in space research among Eastern Bloc countries.
- **DS-U2-IK Class**: The satellite belonged to the DS-U2-IK model, a series of Soviet ionospheric research satellites.
- **Plesetsk Launch**: It was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132, a key site for Soviet space missions.
- **Kosmos-3M Rocket**: The satellite was deployed using the Kosmos-3M rocket, a reliable Soviet carrier rocket for low Earth orbit missions.

## Body
### Overview
Interkosmos 10 was a Soviet ionospheric research satellite launched on October 30, 1973, as part of the Interkosmos program. It was part of the DS-U2-IK class and operated until its atmospheric re-entry on July 1, 1977. The satellite weighed 550 kilograms and was designed to study the Earth's ionosphere, a region of the upper atmosphere affected by solar radiation and charged particles.

### Mission Details
- **Launch**: The satellite was launched aboard a Kosmos-3M rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 at 19:00 UTC on October 30, 1973.
- **Operator**: Operated by the Interkosmos program, which facilitated international cooperation in space research.
- **Spacecraft Bus**: Belonged to the DS-U2 series, a Soviet satellite platform used for ionospheric and atmospheric research.
- **Manufacturer**: Built by the Pivdenne Design Office, a Soviet aerospace engineering firm.

### Scientific Contributions
- **Ionospheric Research**: Interkosmos 10 contributed to the study of the ionosphere, a critical layer of the atmosphere for radio communications and space weather.
- **International Collaboration**: As part of the Interkosmos program, the satellite allowed scientists from various Eastern Bloc countries to participate in Soviet space missions.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 550 kilograms.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1973-082A.
- **SCN (Satellite Catalog Number)**: 06911.
- **Deorbit Date**: July 1, 1977.

### Historical Context
- **Interkosmos Program**: The Interkosmos initiative promoted international collaboration in space research, allowing researchers from multiple countries to participate in Soviet space missions.
- **DS-U2-IK Class**: The satellite belonged to the DS-U2-IK model, a series of Soviet ionospheric research satellites.
- **Plesetsk Launch**: Launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132, a key site for Soviet space missions.
- **Kosmos-3M Rocket**: Deployed using the Kosmos-3M rocket, a reliable Soviet carrier rocket for low Earth orbit missions.

### Legacy
Interkosmos 10's mission supported broader goals in space-based scientific research and international cooperation, leaving a lasting impact on ionospheric studies and collaborative space exploration.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/interkosmos-3.htm)
3. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=06911)