# Kosmos 321

> Soviet satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q53063](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q53063)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_321)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-321

## Summary
Kosmos 321 was a Soviet satellite launched on January 20, 1970, designated specifically for magnetospheric research. Manufactured by the Pivdenne Design Office, it served as the first unit of the DS-U2-MG model series. The satellite was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome aboard a Kosmos-2I carrier rocket.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** It was a DS-U2-MG type satellite, identified as vehicle number No. 1.
- **Launch Date:** January 20, 1970.
- **Launch Time:** 20:20:00.
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133.
- **Carrier Rocket:** Kosmos-2I (a Soviet carrier rocket).
- **Manufacturer:** Pivdenne Design Office.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1970-006A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 04308.
- **Mission Type:** Magnetospheric research.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the specific function of Kosmos 321?
A: Kosmos 321 was a magnetospheric research satellite designed to study the Earth's magnetosphere. It was part of the Soviet DS-U2-MG class of scientific satellites.

### Q: Who built and launched Kosmos 321?
A: The satellite was manufactured by the Pivdenne Design Office. It was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133 using a Kosmos-2I launch vehicle.

### Q: How is Kosmos 321 identified in international catalogs?
A: The satellite carries the COSPAR ID 1970-006A and the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 04308. It is also known by the alias DS-U2-MG No.1.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 321 represents a specific segment of the Soviet Union's extensive space exploration efforts during the Cold War, particularly within the broader "Kosmos" program which encompassed a wide array of scientific and military satellites. As the first unit (No. 1) of the DS-U2-MG model, its launch marked the deployment of a specialized platform dedicated to magnetospheric research. This research was critical for understanding the space environment surrounding Earth, which is essential for protecting both satellites and human space travelers from cosmic radiation and solar wind.

The satellite highlights the industrial capabilities of the Pivdenne Design Office, a major Ukrainian-Soviet design bureau responsible for a significant portion of the Soviet rocket and satellite infrastructure. Launched in early 1970, Kosmos 321 utilized the Kosmos-2I rocket, a reliable workhorse of the era, demonstrating the standardized launch procedures established at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. By successfully placing this specific scientific payload into orbit, the mission contributed to the dataset required for near-Earth space physics, distinguishing it from the many reconnaissance or communication satellites launched under the generic "Kosmos" designation.

## Notable For
- **First of its Class:** Identified as DS-U2-MG No.1, indicating it was the first satellite of this specific magnetospheric research model.
- **Specialized Research:** Focused specifically on magnetospheric studies rather than general telecommunications or reconnaissance.
- **Launch Coordination:** Achieved a precise launch window, lifting off at 20:20:00 on its launch date.
- **Manufacturer Pedigree:** A product of the Pivdenne Design Office, a prominent aerospace engineering bureau.

## Body

### Design and Construction
Kosmos 321 was an artificial satellite constructed under the DS-U2-MG development program. It was manufactured by the Pivdenne Design Office, a key entity in the Soviet aerospace industry. The satellite is recorded as the first unit in this specific series of magnetospheric research vehicles (DS-U2-MG No.1). The "DS" in its model name refers to the "Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik" series, which formed the basis for many Soviet scientific satellites.

### Mission Profile
The primary objective of Kosmos 321 was magnetospheric research. This class of satellite, the DS-U2-MG, was specifically developed to study the magnetic field of the Earth and its interaction with solar wind.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was launched on **January 20, 1970**. The launch took place at **20:20:00** UTC from **Site 133** of the **Plesetsk Cosmodrome**. The launch vehicle used to propel Kosmos 321 into orbit was the **Kosmos-2I**, a two-stage rocket derived from the R-12 ballistic missile, which was frequently used for launching smaller scientific satellites of this era.

### Identification and Registry
The mission was assigned the international designator **1970-006A**, identifying it as the first object associated with that specific launch in 1970. It was also tracked under the Satellite Catalog Number **04308**. The mission is recorded in multiple linguistic databases, including English, Russian, Spanish, and several others, reflecting its documentation across various international space monitoring agencies.

## References

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