# Kosmos 558

> Soviet satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q53598](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q53598)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_558)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-558

## Summary
Kosmos 558 was a Soviet satellite launched on May 17, 1973, under the designation DS-P1-Yu No.65. Manufactured by the Pivdenne Design Office, it was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Kosmos-2I carrier rocket. The satellite is classified as a DSZ–P1–Ju type spacecraft and is assigned the COSPAR ID 1973-029A.

## Key Facts
- **Official Designation:** Kosmos 558 (Alternate ID: DS-P1-Yu No.65).
- **Classification:** Instance of DSZ–P1–Ju satellite class.
- **Launch Date:** May 17, 1973.
- **Launch Time:** 13:19:58 UTC.
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Kosmos-2I (a Soviet carrier rocket).
- **Manufacturer:** Pivdenne Design Office.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1973-029A.
- **SATCAT Number:** 06645.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Kosmos 558?
A: Kosmos 558 was a Soviet satellite classified specifically as a DSZ–P1–Ju (or DS-P1-Yu) type spacecraft. It was part of the broader Soviet Kosmos program.

### Q: When and where was Kosmos 558 launched?
A: Kosmos 558 was launched on May 17, 1973, at 13:19:58 UTC from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133 in the Soviet Union.

### Q: Who manufactured Kosmos 558?
A: The satellite was manufactured by the Pivdenne Design Office, a major Soviet design bureau located in the Ukrainian SSR (now Ukraine).

### Q: What rocket was used to deploy Kosmos 558?
A: The satellite was delivered to orbit using a Kosmos-2I carrier rocket, a rocket derived from the R-12 and R-14 ballistic missiles.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 558 represents a specific data point within the extensive Soviet "Kosmos" program, which encompassed a wide variety of scientific and military satellites. Its significance lies in its contribution to the flight history of the DSZ–P1–Ju class of satellites. These satellites were typically used for geological and geophysical research, contributing to the understanding of Earth's properties from orbit during the Cold War era.

Furthermore, the mission highlights the operational capabilities of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, specifically Site 133, and the reliability of the Kosmos-2I launch vehicle during the early 1970s. The involvement of the Pivdenne Design Office also underscores the collaborative nature of the Soviet space industry, bringing together manufacturing expertise from various republics. For researchers tracking orbital debris or historical satellite constellations, Kosmos 558 serves as a verifiable entry with precise launch coordinates and timing (COSPAR 1973-029A).

## Notable For
- Being part of the **DSZ–P1–Ju** satellite class, a specific series of Soviet scientific satellites.
- Launching from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133**, a key launch complex for smaller Soviet satellites.
- Utilizing the **Kosmos-2I** rocket, a workhorse carrier for the Kosmos program.
- Being manufactured by **Pivdenne Design Office** (then known as Yuzhnoye), one of the premier design bureaus in the Soviet Union responsible for strategic rockets and satellites.

## Body
### Classification and Identity
Kosmos 558 is identified by the international designator **1973-029A** and the Satellite Catalog Number **06645**. It is an instance of the **DSZ–P1–Ju** class of satellites. The spacecraft also carried the alternate designation **DS-P1-Yu No.65**, which indicates its specific production number within its series.

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully launched on **May 17, 1973**. The precise moment of liftoff from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133** was recorded at **13:19:58**. This event was managed by Soviet Union space authorities and tracked by international monitoring agencies.

### Manufacturer and Vehicle
The design and construction of Kosmos 558 were handled by the **Pivdenne Design Office**, a prominent aerospace manufacturer. The launch was facilitated by the **Kosmos-2I** carrier rocket, a two-stage rocket designed to deliver light payloads to Low Earth Orbit. The Kosmos-2I was a superseded Soviet carrier rocket often used for placing scientific and research satellites like the DSZ–P1–Ju series into orbit.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report