# Kosmos 461

> Soviet satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q53574](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q53574)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_461)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-461

## Summary  
Kosmos 461 was a Soviet research satellite launched in 1971 as part of the DS-U2-MT program. It was designed for scientific studies in low Earth orbit and was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Kosmos-3M rocket. The satellite is also known by the designation DS-U2-MT No.1.

## Key Facts  
- Launched on December 2, 1971 at 17:30:01 UTC  
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132  
- Launch vehicle: Kosmos-3M  
- Satellite class: DS-U2-MT (research satellite)  
- Alternate names: DS-U2-MT No.1, Kosmos 461  
- COSPAR ID: 1971-105A  
- Manufacturer: Pivdenne Design Office  
- Instance of: Artificial satellite of the Earth  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Kosmos 461?  
A: Kosmos 461 was a Soviet research satellite built for scientific missions in low Earth orbit under the DS-U2-MT program. Its exact mission details remain classified or unspecified in public sources.

### Q: When and where was Kosmos 461 launched?  
A: Kosmos 461 was launched on December 2, 1971, from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132 at 17:30:01 UTC.

### Q: What kind of rocket launched Kosmos 461?  
A: Kosmos 461 was launched using a Kosmos-3M rocket, a Soviet launch vehicle commonly used for smaller satellites during that era.

## Why It Matters  
Kosmos 461 represents one part of the Soviet Union's extensive space-based scientific research efforts during the Cold War. As a member of the DS-U2-MT satellite series, it contributed to the USSR’s understanding of near-Earth space and supported broader technological and military advancements in orbital capabilities. Though specific mission outcomes are not publicly detailed, Kosmos 461 exemplifies the scale and scope of Soviet unmanned space programs that laid groundwork for later international cooperation and modern satellite technology.

## Notable For  
- Being the first satellite in the DS-U2-MT program (designated DS-U2-MT No.1)  
- Launching aboard a Kosmos-3M rocket, a reliable but relatively small Soviet launch system  
- Representing a segment of the Soviet Union's classified Kosmos satellite program  
- Having a documented COSPAR ID and multiple international Wikipedia entries  
- Manufactured by the Ukrainian-based Pivdenne Design Office, highlighting cross-republican collaboration within the USSR  

## Body  

### Overview  
Kosmos 461 was a Soviet artificial satellite launched into low Earth orbit as part of the DS-U2-MT program. The satellite was primarily intended for scientific research purposes, though many aspects of its mission remain undisclosed due to the classification practices of the Soviet space program.

### Technical Details  
- **Satellite Class**: DS-U2-MT – a model of Soviet research satellite  
- **Manufacturer**: Pivdenne Design Office  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1971-105A  
- **SCN (Spacecraft Number)**: 05643  

The DS-U2-MT program was developed to conduct various scientific experiments in orbit, including investigations into Earth's magnetosphere, radiation environment, and other geophysical phenomena.

### Launch Information  
- **Launch Date**: December 2, 1971  
- **Launch Time**: 17:30:01 UTC  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 132  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M  
  - A two-stage liquid-fueled rocket widely used by the Soviet Union for launching small to medium payloads into orbit.

### Program Context  
As part of the larger Kosmos program — which encompassed numerous military and scientific satellites — Kosmos 461 reflects the dual-use nature of much of the USSR’s space activity. While officially designated for scientific purposes, such satellites often served broader strategic goals tied to surveillance, communication, and defense technologies.

### Legacy and Documentation  
Despite limited public information regarding its operational life or results, Kosmos 461 has been catalogued with consistent identifiers across major databases like Wikidata and Freebase. It is referenced in multiple language editions of Wikipedia, indicating sustained interest in Soviet-era space history.

## References

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