# Kosmos 204

> Soviet artificial satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q51560](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q51560)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_204)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-204

## Summary  
Kosmos 204 was a Soviet artificial satellite launched on March 5, 1968, as part of the DS-P1-I program for radar calibration purposes. It was developed by the Pivdenne Design Office and launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Kosmos-2I carrier rocket. The satellite is also known by the alternative designation DS-P1-I No.3.

## Key Facts  
- Launched on March 5, 1968 at 11:20 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133  
- Official designation: Kosmos 204; alternate name: DS-P1-I No.3  
- Part of the DS-P1-I class of Soviet radar calibration satellites  
- Launched aboard a Kosmos-2I rocket, a Soviet carrier vehicle used during the Cold War era  
- Manufacturer: Pivdenne Design Office  
- COSPAR ID: 1968-015A  
- SCN (Spacecraft Number): 03139  
- Instance of: DS-P1-I satellite model  
- Wikidata item: Q6272367  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Kosmos 204?  
A: Kosmos 204 was designed as a radar calibration satellite within the DS-P1-I program. Its primary function was to assist in calibrating ground-based radars, likely for military or aerospace tracking applications.

### Q: When and where was Kosmos 204 launched?  
A: Kosmos 204 was launched on March 5, 1968, at 11:20 UTC from Launch Site 133 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Soviet Union.

### Q: Who manufactured Kosmos 204?  
A: The satellite was manufactured by the Pivdenne Design Office, based in Ukraine, which played a key role in developing several Soviet space systems.

## Why It Matters  
Kosmos 204 represents one of many satellites in the Soviet Union's extensive Kosmos program, which encompassed scientific, navigational, and military missions. As part of the DS-P1-I series, it contributed to advancements in radar technology and space situational awareness during the height of the Cold War. These calibration satellites were essential for improving the accuracy of missile defense systems and space object tracking capabilities. Though not publicly detailed due to their classified nature, such missions laid foundational infrastructure for modern orbital surveillance technologies.

## Notable For  
- Being part of the DS-P1-I class, specifically designated for radar calibration tasks  
- One of multiple Kosmos-branded payloads launched under the secretive Soviet space program  
- Manufactured by Pivdenne Design Office, a major contributor to Soviet-era spacecraft development  
- Launched via the historically significant Kosmos-2I rocket, widely used throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s  
- Identified with both international (COSPAR) and internal (SCN) spacecraft numbering systems  

## Body  

### Mission Overview  
Kosmos 204 was launched as part of the broader DS-P1-I program, whose objective centered around supporting radar calibration activities for Soviet military installations. These satellites enabled more accurate detection and tracking of airborne or orbital objects—a critical component of national defense strategy during the Cold War period.

### Technical Details  
The satellite belonged to the DS-P1-I class, indicating its specialized role in radar calibration. While full technical specifications remain largely undisclosed, these satellites typically featured standardized components suitable for low Earth orbit operations and precise signal reflection.

#### Identifiers:
- **COSPAR ID**: 1968-015A  
- **SCN (Spacecraft Number)**: 03139  
- **Aliases**: DS-P1-I No.3, Kosmos 204  

### Launch Information  
The launch occurred on **March 5, 1968**, at **11:20 UTC** from **Launch Complex 133** at the **Plesetsk Cosmodrome**, located in the Arkhangelsk Oblast of the USSR. This facility served as a central hub for launching military and reconnaissance satellites.

#### Launch Vehicle:
- **Rocket Type**: Kosmos-2I  
- A two-stage liquid-fueled carrier rocket commonly employed by the Soviet Union between 1968 and 1977  
- Superseded earlier models like the Kosmos-1 and Kosmos-3  

### Manufacturer  
Kosmos 204 was produced by the **Pivdenne Design Office**, formally known as Yuzhnoye Design Office, headquartered in Dnipro (then Dnipropetrovsk), Ukraine. The office was responsible for numerous successful Soviet space projects including intercontinental ballistic missiles and experimental satellites.

### Program Context  
As part of the DS-P1-I program, Kosmos 204 followed previous launches such as Kosmos 166 and Kosmos 179. These missions collectively supported the operational readiness of Soviet radar networks and possibly aided in anti-ballistic missile research efforts. Despite limited public documentation, they formed a crucial backbone of Soviet aerospace defense infrastructure.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013