# Interkosmos 13

> former Soviet ionospheric research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q1097395](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1097395)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/interkosmos-13

## Summary
Interkosmos 13 was a Soviet ionospheric research satellite launched on March 27, 1975, as part of the Interkosmos program. It was part of the DC-U2-IK class and operated until its atmospheric re-entry on September 2, 1980. The satellite weighed 400 kilograms and was manufactured by the Pivdenne Design Office.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: March 27, 1975, at 14:30 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.
- **Mass**: 400 kilograms.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M (serial number 53721-268).
- **Operator**: Interkosmos.
- **Spacecraft Bus**: DS-U2.
- **Country of Origin**: Soviet Union.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1975-022A.
- **Satellite Number (SCN)**: 07710.
- **Atmospheric Re-entry**: September 2, 1980.
- **Manufacturer**: Pivdenne Design Office.
- **Part of**: Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik satellite family.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Interkosmos 13?
A: Interkosmos 13 was a Soviet ionospheric research satellite designed to study the Earth's ionosphere, a region of the upper atmosphere.

### Q: Who operated Interkosmos 13?
A: The satellite was operated by Interkosmos, a Soviet program that facilitated international cooperation in space research.

### Q: What was the launch vehicle used for Interkosmos 13?
A: The satellite was launched using a Kosmos-3M rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 on March 27, 1975.

### Q: When did Interkosmos 13 re-enter the atmosphere?
A: Interkosmos 13 re-entered the Earth's atmosphere on September 2, 1980, after five years of operation.

### Q: What was the mass of Interkosmos 13?
A: The satellite had a mass of 400 kilograms.

## Why It Matters
Interkosmos 13 played a crucial role in advancing ionospheric research, contributing to the understanding of the Earth's upper atmosphere. As part of the Soviet Union's broader space program, it supported international scientific collaboration through the Interkosmos program. The satellite's data helped scientists study ionospheric phenomena, which are essential for communications, navigation, and space weather forecasting. Its operational lifespan of five years provided valuable insights into the dynamics of the ionosphere, aiding in the development of technologies that rely on atmospheric interactions.

## Notable For
- **Ionospheric Research**: One of the first satellites dedicated to studying the ionosphere, a critical layer of the atmosphere for radio communications.
- **Interkosmos Program**: Part of the Soviet Union's initiative to collaborate with international scientists on space research.
- **Long Operational Lifespan**: Operated successfully for five years before re-entering the atmosphere.
- **Plesetsk Launch**: Launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a key site for Soviet space missions.
- **DS-U2 Bus**: Utilized the DS-U2 spacecraft bus, a common design for Soviet ionospheric research satellites.

## Body
### Overview
Interkosmos 13 was a Soviet ionospheric research satellite launched as part of the Interkosmos program, which aimed to facilitate international cooperation in space research. The satellite was part of the DC-U2-IK class and was designed to study the Earth's ionosphere, a region of the upper atmosphere that plays a crucial role in radio communications and space weather.

### Launch and Operation
- **Launch Date**: March 27, 1975, at 14:30 UTC.
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M (serial number 53721-268).
- **Operator**: Interkosmos.
- **Mass**: 400 kilograms.
- **Spacecraft Bus**: DS-U2.

### Scientific Contributions
Interkosmos 13 contributed to the understanding of ionospheric phenomena, which are essential for various applications, including radio communications, navigation, and space weather forecasting. The satellite's data helped scientists analyze the dynamics of the ionosphere, providing insights that supported technological advancements in these fields.

### Decommissioning
- **Atmospheric Re-entry**: September 2, 1980.
- **Operational Lifespan**: Five years.

### Technical Specifications
- **Satellite Number (SCN)**: 07710.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1975-022A.
- **Manufacturer**: Pivdenne Design Office.
- **Country of Origin**: Soviet Union.

### Classification
- **Instance of**: DC-U2-IK, a model of Soviet ionospheric research satellites.
- **Part of**: Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik satellite family.

Interkosmos 13 remains a significant example of Soviet space research, highlighting the country's contributions to ionospheric studies and international scientific collaboration.

## 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=07710)