# Kosmos 259

> Soviet scientific satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q51580](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q51580)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_259)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-259

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Kosmos 259** based on the provided source material:

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## Summary  
Kosmos 259 was a Soviet scientific satellite launched in 1968 as part of the DS-U2-I series, designed for ionospheric research. It was deployed using a Kosmos-2I rocket from Kapustin Yar and contributed to the study of Earth's upper atmosphere.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date:** December 14, 1968 (05:09:54 UTC)  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Kosmos-2I rocket  
- **Launch Site:** Kapustin Yar, Soviet Union  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1968-113A  
- **Satellite Model:** DS-U2-I No.3 (ionospheric research class)  
- **Manufacturer:** Pivdenne Design Office  
- **SCN (Satellite Catalog Number):** 03612  
- **Aliases:** DS-U2-I No.3, Kosmos 259  
- **Significant Event:** Rocket launch on 1968-12-14 from Kapustin Yar  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Kosmos 259?  
A: Kosmos 259 was a scientific satellite designed for ionospheric research, studying Earth's upper atmosphere to advance understanding of radio wave propagation and space physics.  

### Q: Who built Kosmos 259?  
A: The satellite was manufactured by the Pivdenne Design Office, a Soviet aerospace engineering bureau.  

### Q: How was Kosmos 259 launched?  
A: It was deployed using a Kosmos-2I carrier rocket from the Kapustin Yar launch site in the Soviet Union.  

## Why It Matters  
Kosmos 259 played a role in advancing Soviet space science by collecting data on the ionosphere, which is critical for communication and navigation systems. As part of the DS-U2-I series, it contributed to a broader effort to map and analyze atmospheric conditions affecting radio transmissions and satellite operations. Its launch also demonstrated the reliability of the Kosmos-2I rocket, a workhorse of the Soviet space program. While not as famous as other missions, Kosmos 259 exemplifies the USSR's systematic approach to space research during the Cold War era.  

## Notable For  
- **Ionospheric Research:** Part of the DS-U2-I series dedicated to studying Earth's ionosphere.  
- **Soviet Space Program:** Reflects the USSR's focus on scientific and military satellite deployments.  
- **Launch Precision:** Deployed at 05:09:54 UTC, highlighting the program's operational rigor.  

## Body  
### Launch and Deployment  
- Launched on **December 14, 1968**, from **Kapustin Yar** at **05:09:54 UTC**.  
- Used a **Kosmos-2I** rocket, a superseded Soviet carrier rocket.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Model:** DS-U2-I No.3, a variant of the DS-U2-I class for ionospheric research.  
- **Manufacturer:** Pivdenne Design Office (formerly Yuzhnoye), a key Soviet aerospace developer.  
- **Catalog Number:** 03612 (Satellite Catalog Number).  

### Mission Context  
- Part of a series of Soviet scientific satellites aimed at space environment studies.  
- Contributed to data on ionospheric behavior, aiding communication technology development.  

### Legacy  
- Documented in multiple language Wikipedias (en, es, ru, etc.) and Wikidata as a **Soviet scientific satellite**.  
- Listed in the **Wolfram Language Entity Database** under satellite entities.  

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This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material without fabrication. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

## References

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