# Kosmos 238

> final test series of the Soviet Soyuz spacecraft prior to the launch of Soyuz 3

**Wikidata**: [Q1096080](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1096080)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_238)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-238

## Summary
Kosmos 238 was an uncrewed test flight of the Soviet Soyuz 7K-OK spacecraft, conducted on August 28, 1968, as part of the final test series before the launch of Soyuz 3. It marked a critical step in validating the Soyuz spacecraft for crewed missions.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: August 28, 1968
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 31
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz rocket
- **Spacecraft Type**: Soyuz 7K-OK (first generation of the Soyuz programme)
- **Mission Type**: Uncrewed spaceflight
- **Orbit**: Low Earth orbit
- **Duration**: 5,699 minutes (approximately 3.9 days)
- **Apoapsis**: 313 km
- **Periapsis**: 194 km
- **Orbital Period**: 88.5 minutes
- **Orbital Inclination**: 51.7 degrees
- **Landing Location**: Kazakhstan
- **Operator**: Soviet space program
- **COSPAR ID**: 1968-072A

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Kosmos 238?
A: Kosmos 238 was a final test flight of the Soyuz 7K-OK spacecraft to validate its systems before the crewed Soyuz 3 mission.

### Q: How long did Kosmos 238 remain in orbit?
A: The mission lasted approximately 5,699 minutes (about 3.9 days) before re-entry.

### Q: What was the significance of Kosmos 238?
A: It was a critical uncrewed test to ensure the Soyuz spacecraft was ready for human spaceflight, paving the way for Soyuz 3.

### Q: Where did Kosmos 238 land?
A: The spacecraft landed in Kazakhstan after completing its mission.

### Q: What was the Soyuz 7K-OK spacecraft?
A: The Soyuz 7K-OK was the first generation of the Soyuz spacecraft, designed for the Soviet space programme.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 238 was a pivotal uncrewed test flight in the Soviet space program, ensuring the Soyuz spacecraft was ready for crewed missions. Launched on August 28, 1968, it validated critical systems of the Soyuz 7K-OK spacecraft, which was the precursor to the Soyuz programme. The mission lasted approximately 3.9 days, orbiting Earth in a low Earth orbit before re-entering and landing in Kazakhstan. This test flight was essential for the success of the subsequent Soyuz 3 mission, which carried the first crewed Soyuz spacecraft into space. Kosmos 238 demonstrated the reliability and functionality of the Soyuz spacecraft, marking a significant milestone in the Soviet space programme’s efforts to establish a human spaceflight capability.

## Notable For
- **Final Test Flight**: Served as the final uncrewed test before the crewed Soyuz 3 mission.
- **Soyuz 7K-OK Validation**: Confirmed the spacecraft’s readiness for human spaceflight.
- **Long-Duration Orbit**: Completed a 3.9-day mission in low Earth orbit.
- **Precursor to Soyuz Programme**: Laid the groundwork for the broader Soyuz spacecraft series.
- **Soviet Space Programme Milestone**: Demonstrated the reliability of the Soyuz spacecraft for future missions.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Kosmos 238 was launched on August 28, 1968, from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 31, using a Soyuz rocket. The mission was part of the final test series for the Soyuz 7K-OK spacecraft, ensuring its systems were fully operational before the crewed Soyuz 3 mission. The spacecraft entered a low Earth orbit with an apoapsis of 313 km and a periapsis of 194 km, completing 5,699 minutes (approximately 3.9 days) in orbit. The orbital inclination was 51.7 degrees, and the orbital period was 88.5 minutes. After completing its mission, Kosmos 238 re-entered Earth’s atmosphere and landed in Kazakhstan.

### Spacecraft Details
The Soyuz 7K-OK spacecraft, a member of the first generation of the Soyuz programme, had a takeoff mass of 6,520 kg. It was designed for the Soviet space programme and was a precursor to the broader Soyuz spacecraft series. The mission was operated by the Soviet space program, and the spacecraft was identified by the COSPAR ID 1968-072A.

### Significance
Kosmos 238 was a critical step in the development of the Soyuz spacecraft, ensuring its reliability for future crewed missions. The successful completion of this uncrewed test flight paved the way for the Soyuz 3 mission, which carried the first crewed Soyuz spacecraft into space. The mission’s long duration and stable orbit demonstrated the spacecraft’s capability to support human spaceflight, marking a significant achievement in the Soviet space programme.

## References

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