# Kosmos 3

> Soviet research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q53038](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q53038)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_3_(satellite))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-3

## Summary
Kosmos 3 was a Soviet research satellite launched on April 24, 1962. Also designated 2MS #1, it was an Earth observation satellite manufactured by the S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia. The satellite maintained an orbit with an altitude ranging from 229 to 720 kilometers before decaying and reentering the atmosphere on October 17, 1962.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** April 24, 1962
- **Decay Date:** October 17, 1962
- **Classification:** Earth observation satellite (Soviet research satellite)
- **Manufacturer:** S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia
- **Launch Site:** Kapustin Yar
- **Launch Vehicle:** Kosmos 63S1 (also associated with Kosmos-2I)
- **Mass:** 330 kilograms
- **COSPAR ID:** 1962-013A
- **Orbital Period:** 93.8 minutes
- **Orbital Eccentricity:** 0.035868

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Kosmos 3?
A: Kosmos 3 was a Soviet research and Earth observation satellite designed specifically to observe Earth from orbit. It is also identified by the alias 2MS #1.

### Q: When was Kosmos 3 launched and how long did it stay in orbit?
A: Kosmos 3 was launched on April 24, 1962, from the Kapustin Yar site. It remained in orbit for less than six months, undergoing atmospheric entry on October 17, 1962.

### Q: What were the technical specifications of Kosmos 3's orbit?
A: The satellite had a mass of 330 kg and an orbital period of 93.8 minutes. Its orbit ranged from a periapsis of 229 kilometers to an apoapsis of 720 kilometers with an eccentricity of 0.035868.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 3 serves as an early example of the Soviet Union's extensive Kosmos program, which encompassed a vast array of scientific and military satellites. Launched in the early 1960s, this mission highlights the rapid development of space surveillance capabilities during the Cold War. As an Earth observation satellite, it contributed to the gathering of data regarding the planet from low Earth orbit, a relatively new capability at the time.

The mission is also significant for its utilization of the Kosmos 63S1 launch vehicle, a solid-fueled rocket derived from the R-12 and R-14 ballistic missiles, demonstrating the adaptation of military technology for space exploration. Manufactured by the S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, the satellite represents the foundational engineering efforts of one of the most prominent entities in Soviet space history. Although its operational life was brief, ending in orbital decay after roughly six months, the data gathered from its specific orbital profile (229 km x 720 km) would have been valuable for calibrating future satellite launches and understanding the dynamics of low Earth orbit.

## Notable For
- **Earth Observation:** Functioned as an artificial satellite specifically designed to observe Earth.
- **Specific Launch Vehicle:** Utilized the Kosmos 63S1, a model of Soviet launch vehicle, launched from Kapustin Yar.
- **Short Orbital Lifespan:** The satellite had a lifespan of less than a year, launching in April and decaying in October 1962.
- **Manufacturer:** Produced by the S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, a key player in the Soviet space program.
- **Orbital Profile:** Maintained a highly specific eccentricity of 0.035868 and a rapid orbital period of 93.8 minutes.

## Body

### Mission Profile and Launch
Kosmos 3 was launched on April 24, 1962, marking another entry in the Soviet Union's series of Kosmos satellites. The launch took place at the Kapustin Yar site, a rocket launch and development facility in the Soviet Union. The satellite was successfully deployed into orbit using a Kosmos 63S1 carrier rocket, which is noted as a model of Soviet launch vehicle sometimes referred to interchangeably or associated with the Kosmos-2I class.

The satellite was assigned the COSPAR ID 1962-013A upon launch.

### Technical Specifications
The satellite had a total mass of 330 kilograms. It was engineered as an Earth observation platform, falling under the broader category of Soviet research satellites. The manufacturer listed for the entity is the S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia.

### Orbital Parameters
Once in orbit, Kosmos 3 followed a specific trajectory around the Earth:
- **Periapsis (Lowest Altitude):** 229 kilometres
- **Apoapsis (Highest Altitude):** 720 kilometres
- **Orbital Period:** 93.8 minutes
- **Eccentricity:** 0.035868

### End of Mission
The satellite's time in space was limited. Significant event records indicate that Kosmos 3 underwent atmospheric entry on October 17, 1962. This decay occurred roughly six months after its launch, marking the end of its operational life.

### Identifiers and Aliases
The entity is referenced in various databases and languages under different identifiers:
- **Aliases:** 2MS #1, Kosmos 3
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 00281
- **Wikipedia Title:** Kosmos 3 (satellite)
- **Freebase ID:** /m/0640drz

## References

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