# Interkosmos 12

> former Soviet ionospheric research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q1097392](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1097392)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/interkosmos-12

## Summary
Interkosmos 12 was a Soviet ionospheric research satellite launched on October 31, 1974, as part of the international Interkosmos program. Manufactured by the Pivdenne Design Office, it belonged to the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik family and utilized the DS-U2 spacecraft bus. The satellite remained in orbit until it decayed and re-entered the atmosphere on July 11, 1975.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Former Soviet ionospheric research satellite; instance of the DC-U2-IK model.
- **Launch Date:** October 31, 1974, at 10:00:00 UTC.
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Kosmos-3M rocket (serial number 53721-253).
- **Operator:** Interkosmos.
- **Manufacturer:** Pivdenne Design Office.
- **Mass:** 400 kilograms.
- **Spacecraft Bus:** DS-U2.
- **Decay Date:** July 11, 1975 (atmospheric entry).
- **COSPAR ID:** 1974-086A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 07500.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of Interkosmos 12?
A: Interkosmos 12 was designed for ionospheric research. It was part of the Soviet Interkosmos program, which aimed to conduct scientific studies in space.

### Q: When was Interkosmos 12 launched and how long did it stay in orbit?
A: The satellite was launched on October 31, 1974. It operated in orbit for roughly eight and a half months before re-entering Earth's atmosphere on July 11, 1975.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Interkosmos 12?
A: It was launched using a Kosmos-3M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.

## Why It Matters
Interkosmos 12 serves as a representative example of the Soviet Union's scientific utilization of the standardized DS-U2 satellite bus during the 1970s. As the fifth unit in the DC-U2-IK series (designated DS-U2-IK No. 5), it highlights the industrial efficiency of the Soviet space program, specifically the capabilities of the Pivdenne Design Office in manufacturing reliable research platforms like the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik family.

The satellite's operation under the **Interkosmos** organization is significant, as this program facilitated international cooperation in space research among Soviet-aligned states. While the satellite had a relatively short orbital lifespan—launching in late 1974 and decaying by mid-1975—it contributed to the broader understanding of the ionosphere. Its deployment via the Kosmos-3M launch vehicle further underscores the reliance on this specific rocket class for deploying lightweight scientific payloads during that era.

## Notable For
- Being the **fifth satellite** (No. 5) of the specific DC-U2-IK model line.
- Operating as part of the **Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik** family, a major lineage of Soviet satellites.
- Utilizing the **DS-U2** bus, a standard chassis used for various scientific missions.
- Having a specific **mass of 400 kg**, typical for the DS-U2 configuration.
- Launching from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132**, a key launch infrastructure for Kosmos rockets.

## Body

### Development and Design
Interkosmos 12 was a product of the Soviet space industry's push for standardized scientific platforms. It was manufactured by the **Pivdenne Design Office**, a prominent Ukrainian bureau responsible for many Soviet satellite and missile systems. The satellite was classified as a **DC-U2-IK** model, which was a specific configuration of the broader **DS-U2** spacecraft bus.

This bus design allowed for a mass of **400 kilograms**. Structurally, it belonged to the **Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik** family, a series of satellites named after the city (now Dnipro) where the design bureau was located. The "IK" in its model designation stood for "Interkosmos" or "Ionospheric," aligning with its mission profile and operator. Alternative designations for the entity include **DS-U2-IK-5** and **IK-12**.

### Launch and Mission Profile
The satellite was successfully launched on **October 31, 1974**, precisely at **10:00:00** UTC. The mission utilized the **Kosmos-3M** rocket, a two-stage, liquid-fueled launch vehicle identified by the serial number **53721-253**.

The launch originated from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132**, a major spaceport located in northwestern Russia. Upon reaching orbit, the satellite was assigned the COSPAR ID **1974-086A** and the Satellite Catalog Number **07500**.

### End of Mission
Interkosmos 12 had a limited operational duration in low Earth orbit. The mission concluded with **atmospheric entry** on **July 11, 1975**, approximately 253 days after launch. The "former entity" status in records indicates that the satellite no longer exists as an intact object in orbit.

## 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=07500)