# Kosmos 524

> Soviet satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q53593](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q53593)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_524)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-524

## Summary
Kosmos 524 was a Soviet satellite launched in 1972 as part of the DS-P1-Yu program, designed for radar cross-section calibration to support anti-ballistic missile system testing. It was deployed using a Kosmos-2I rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome and operated for approximately 12 months. The satellite is identified by COSPAR ID 1972-080A and was manufactured by the Pivdenne Design Office.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: October 11, 1972, at 13:19:58 UTC.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1972-080A.
- **Manufacturer**: Pivdenne Design Office (Soviet Union).
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-2I rocket.
- **Class**: DS-P1-Yu (DSZ–P1–Ju), a type of calibration satellite.
- **SCN**: 06229.
- **Alternate Names**: DS-P1-Yu No.49, Kosmos 524.
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Kosmos 524?
A: Kosmos 524 was part of the DS-P1-Yu series, designed to calibrate radar cross-sections for testing Soviet anti-ballistic missile systems.

### Q: When and where was Kosmos 524 launched?
A: It launched on October 11, 1972, at 13:19:58 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133 aboard a Kosmos-2I rocket.

### Q: How long did Kosmos 524 operate?
A: The satellite had an operational lifespan of approximately 12 months, typical for its class.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 524 played a role in the Soviet Union’s military technology development by supporting radar calibration for anti-ballistic missile systems. As part of the DS-P1-Yu series, it contributed to ensuring the reliability of defense networks during the Cold War. These satellites were critical for testing and maintaining strategic defense capabilities, reflecting the broader geopolitical tensions of the era. While not a high-profile mission, its function underscores the intersection of space technology and military strategy during this period.

## Notable For
- **Radar Calibration Mission**: Designed to measure radar cross-sections, aiding in missile defense system accuracy.
- **Kosmos-2I Rocket Deployment**: Utilized a superseded but reliable Soviet launch vehicle.
- **Short Operational Lifespan**: Typical of its class, operational for about one year before decay.
- **Pivdenne Design Office Heritage**: Manufactured by a key Soviet engineering bureau responsible for numerous satellites and rockets.

## Body
### Launch Details
Kosmos 524 launched on October 11, 1972, at 13:19:58 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133. The launch vehicle was a Kosmos-2I, a two-stage rocket derived from the R-12 Dvina missile. This rocket was widely used for small satellite deployments but was later superseded by more advanced models.

### Satellite Specifications
- **Class**: DS-P1-Yu (DSZ–P1–Ju), a spin-stabilized satellite with a spherical body.
- **SCN**: 06229 (Satellite Catalog Number).
- **COSPAR ID**: 1972-080A.
- **Manufacturer**: Pivdenne Design Office, a Soviet engineering firm responsible for numerous space systems.

### Mission Purpose
The satellite’s primary mission was radar cross-section calibration, a critical function for testing and refining anti-ballistic missile (ABM) systems. By providing measurable radar targets, Kosmos 524 helped ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of Soviet defense networks.

### Legacy
Kosmos 524 was one of 70 DS-P1-Yu satellites launched between 1966 and 1983. These satellites typically operated for 12–18 months before decaying from orbit. While not individually remarkable, the series collectively supported the Soviet Union’s strategic defense initiatives during the Cold War.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report