# Kosmos 26

> technology demonstration satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q53014](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q53014)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_26)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-26

## Summary
Kosmos 26 was a Soviet technology demonstration satellite launched in 1964 as part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik program, designed to test new space technologies.

## Key Facts
- Launched on March 18, 1964, from Kapustin Yar using a Kosmos 63S1 launch vehicle
- Classified as DS-MG, a technology demonstration satellite
- Had a mass of 365 kilograms
- Operated under the Ministry of Defense of the Soviet Union
- Orbital period of 91 minutes
- Decayed on April 1, 1964
- Manufacturer: Pivdenne Design Office
- Part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik family of Soviet satellites

## FAQs
### Q: When was Kosmos 26 launched?
A: Kosmos 26 was launched on March 18, 1964, from Kapustin Yar.

### Q: What was its purpose?
A: It served as a technology demonstration satellite, testing new space technologies for the Soviet Union.

### Q: What were its orbital characteristics?
A: It had an orbital period of 91 minutes, with an apoapsis of 403 km and periapsis of 271 km, at an inclination of 49 degrees.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 26 represents an important part of Soviet space technology development in the 1960s. As a technology demonstration satellite, it played a role in advancing Soviet capabilities in space technology testing and research. The satellite's mission contributed to the broader Soviet space program's efforts to develop and validate new spacecraft systems and technologies during the early years of the space race.

## Notable For
- Was the first satellite in the DS-MG series, demonstrating Soviet technological capabilities
- Operated under the Ministry of Defense rather than civilian space programs
- Featured a relatively short orbital lifespan of approximately one month
- Used the Kosmos 63S1 launch vehicle, which was specifically designed for small satellite launches
- Represented the Soviet Union's continued investment in technology demonstration missions during the early space era

## Body
### Technical Specifications
Kosmos 26, designated as DS-MG No.1, was a technology demonstration satellite with a mass of 365 kilograms. It was manufactured by the Pivdenne Design Office and operated under the Ministry of Defense of the Soviet Union.

### Orbital Parameters
The satellite achieved an orbital period of 91 minutes with an orbital inclination of 49 degrees. Its orbital eccentricity was 0.009016, indicating a nearly circular orbit. The perigee (periapsis) was 271 kilometers and the apogee (apoapsis) was 403 kilometers from Earth's surface.

### Mission Timeline
Launched on March 18, 1964, from Kapustin Yar, Kosmos 26 completed its mission and decayed from orbit on April 1, 1964. The satellite's operational period was approximately 12 days.

### Program Context
As part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik family, Kosmos 26 was part of a series of Soviet satellites designed for technology demonstration and research purposes. The DS-MG classification indicates it was specifically intended for testing new space technologies rather than scientific observation or communication missions.

## References

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