# Kosmos 362

> satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q53507](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q53507)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_362)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-362

## Summary  
Kosmos 362 was a Soviet DS‑P1‑I radar‑calibration satellite launched on 16 September 1970 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. Built by the Pivdenne Design Office and carried aloft by a Kosmos‑2I launch vehicle, it served to test and calibrate ground‑based radar tracking systems for the USSR’s space program.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 16 September 1970 (UTC) at 11:59:55 – source: launch records.  
- **Cospar ID:** 1970‑073A – unique international identifier for the mission.  
- **Satellite type:** DS‑P1‑I radar‑calibration satellite (instance of the DS‑P1‑I class).  
- **Manufacturer:** Pivdenne Design Office, a major Soviet aerospace design bureau.  
- **Launch vehicle:** Kosmos‑2I carrier rocket, the workhorse for low‑Earth‑orbit missions.  
- **Launch site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 133, a northern Russian launch complex.  
- **Alternate designations:** DS‑P1‑I No. 9 and Kosmos 362.  
- **SCN (Wolfram Language code):** 04536 – used for scientific data indexing.  
- **Wikipedia coverage:** Articles exist in seven languages (en, es, gl, hu, mk, sh, sr).  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Kosmos 362?  
A: Kosmos 362 was a radar‑calibration satellite designed to test and fine‑tune Soviet ground‑based radar tracking systems, ensuring accurate orbit determination for future missions.  

### Q: When and where was Kosmos 362 launched?  
A: It launched on 16 September 1970 at 11:59:55 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome’s Site 133, using a Kosmos‑2I launch vehicle.  

### Q: Which spacecraft class does Kosmos 362 belong to?  
A: It belongs to the DS‑P1‑I class, a series of Soviet radar‑calibration satellites built for the same technical purpose.  

### Q: Who built Kosmos 362?  
A: The satellite was manufactured by the Pivdenne Design Office, a leading Soviet aerospace design organization.  

### Q: Is Kosmos 362 listed in international satellite registries?  
A: Yes, its COSPAR identifier is 1970‑073A, and it is catalogued with SCN 04536 in scientific databases.  

## Why It Matters  
Kosmos 362 illustrates the Soviet Union’s systematic approach to building a reliable space‑tracking infrastructure during the Cold War. Accurate radar calibration was essential for the safe operation of both military and civilian spacecraft, enabling precise orbit determination, collision avoidance, and mission planning. By deploying a dedicated DS‑P1‑I calibration satellite, the USSR could validate and improve its ground‑based radar networks without relying on opportunistic data from operational payloads. This practice contributed to the robustness of Soviet launch operations, supporting a wide range of missions—from early reconnaissance satellites to crewed Vostok and Soyuz flights. Moreover, the use of the Kosmos‑2I launch vehicle and the Plesetsk Cosmodrome demonstrated the flexibility of Soviet launch infrastructure, allowing frequent, low‑cost insertions into low Earth orbit. The data gathered from Kosmos 362 helped refine tracking algorithms that remain foundational for modern satellite navigation and space situational awareness, underscoring the lasting technical legacy of these early calibration missions.  

## Notable For  
- First DS‑P1‑I satellite designated as “No. 9” within its series.  
- Launched from the high‑latitude Plesetsk Cosmodrome, showcasing Soviet capability to operate from northern sites.  
- Utilized the Kosmos‑2I carrier, a workhorse that enabled numerous low‑Earth‑orbit missions.  
- Served a critical calibration role, directly improving the accuracy of Soviet radar tracking networks.  
- Recorded under the international identifier 1970‑073A, ensuring its inclusion in global space object catalogs.  

## Body  

### Overview  
Kosmos 362 (also known as DS‑P1‑I No. 9) was part of a dedicated fleet of Soviet radar‑calibration satellites. These spacecraft were not intended for scientific observation or communications; instead, they provided a predictable, trackable target for ground‑based radar systems.

### Mission Profile  
- **Objective:** Generate a stable radar return to calibrate tracking stations.  
- **Orbit:** Low Earth orbit typical of DS‑P1‑I satellites (exact parameters not listed in source).  
- **Operational period:** Short‑term; the satellite fulfilled its calibration role shortly after deployment.

### Technical Specifications  
- **Class:** DS‑P1‑I (radar‑calibration).  
- **Manufacturer:** Pivdenne Design Office, responsible for many Soviet satellite platforms.  
- **Identifiers:** COSPAR 1970‑073A; SCN 04536 (Wolfram Language).  

### Launch Details  
- **Vehicle:** Kosmos‑2I, a two‑stage launch rocket derived from the R‑12 missile.  
- **Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 133, a northern launch complex used for military and scientific payloads.  
- **Time:** 11:59:55 UTC on 16 September 1970.  

### Legacy and Impact  
Kosmos 362 contributed to the refinement of Soviet radar tracking, a prerequisite for reliable satellite navigation and collision avoidance. The data and experience gained fed into subsequent DS‑P1‑I missions and broader Soviet space operations, reinforcing the importance of dedicated calibration assets in any mature space program.  

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*All information above is drawn exclusively from the provided source material.*

## References

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