# Kosmos 573

> USSR spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q1785053](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1785053)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_573)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-573

## Summary

Kosmos 573 was an uncrewed spaceflight [1]. The mission was part of the Soviet Union's Kosmos program, which encompassed a wide range of satellite and spacecraft launches for various scientific, military, and technological purposes.Kosmos 573 launched on June 15, 1973 . It served as a test flight for the Soyuz spacecraft, specifically designed to evaluate systems and components without a human crew onboard [1]. The mission aimed to gather data critical for subsequent crewed flights. Kosmos 573 reentered Earth's atmosphere and landed on June 17, 1973 .

## Summary
Kosmos 573 was an uncrewed spacecraft launched by the Soviet Union on June 15, 1973, as part of the Soyuz programme. It was a Soyuz 7K-T vehicle, the second generation of the Soyuz spacecraft, designed to test systems for future missions. The flight concluded successfully on June 17, 1973, after a two-day mission in low Earth orbit.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Uncrewed spaceflight; instance of the Soyuz 7K-T spacecraft class.
- **Launch Date:** June 15, 1973, at 06:00:00 UTC.
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome, specifically "Gagarin's Start" (Site 1/5).
- **Landing Date:** June 17, 1973.
- **Landing Location:** Kazakhstan.
- **Mission Duration:** 2,880 minutes (48 hours).
- **Spacecraft Mass:** 6,800 kilograms (takeoff weight).
- **Operator:** Soviet space program.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz rocket.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1973-041A.
- **Satellite Number (SCN):** 06694.

## FAQs
### Q: Was Kosmos 573 a crewed mission?
A: No, Kosmos 573 was an uncrewed spaceflight. It was operated by the Soviet space program to test the Soyuz 7K-T vehicle without a human crew.

### Q: What type of spacecraft was Kosmos 573?
A: It was a Soyuz 7K-T, which constitutes the second generation of the Soyuz spacecraft series.

### Q: How long did the Kosmos 573 mission last?
A: The mission had a duration of 2,880 minutes, which is equivalent to exactly 48 hours or two days, launching on June 15 and landing on June 17, 1973.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 573 represents a critical step in the development of the Soyuz 7K-T, the second generation of the Soviet Union's primary crewed spacecraft. As an uncrewed test flight, it allowed engineers to validate the vehicle's systems in low Earth orbit before committing human lives to the technology. Launched just two years after the tragic loss of the Soyuz 11 crew, missions like Kosmos 573 were essential for regaining confidence and ensuring the safety and reliability of the Soyuz fleet for future operations.

The mission is also notable for its adherence to the Soviet practice of designating test flights under the generic "Kosmos" umbrella to obscure their specific military or technical nature. By successfully completing a 48-hour flight profile and landing in Kazakhstan, Kosmos 573 contributed to the extensive heritage of the Soyuz program—a lineage of spacecraft that remains operational decades later. Its launch from "Gagarin's Start" also ties it to the historic legacy of the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

## Notable For
- Being an **uncrewed test flight** of the **Soyuz 7K-T**, the second-generation Soyuz spacecraft.
- Launching from **"Gagarin's Start"**, the historic pad used for the first human spaceflight.
- Maintaining a precise **48-hour mission duration** (2,880 minutes).
- Operating under the **Kosmos designation**, a common practice for Soviet military and test spacecraft.
- Being part of the **Soyuz program**, which utilizes the ubiquitous **Soyuz rocket family**.

## Body
### Mission Profile and Timeline
Kosmos 573 began its mission on **June 15, 1973**. The launch took place at the **Baikonur Cosmodrome**, utilizing the specific launch pad known as **"Gagarin's Start"**. The launch vehicle was a **Soyuz** rocket. The precise time of the rocket launch was **06:00:00**.

Following a mission duration of **2,880 minutes** (approximately 2 days), the spacecraft successfully executed a landing on **June 17, 1973**. The touchdown occurred in **Kazakhstan**.

### Technical Specifications
The spacecraft used for this mission was a **Soyuz 7K-T**. It had a total takeoff mass of **6,800 kilograms**. As an instance of an uncrewed spaceflight, it was positioned in **low Earth orbit** during its operational period.

The mission was organized and operated by the **Soviet space program**. It is cataloged internationally under the **COSPAR ID** 1973-041A and holds the **Satellite Catalog Number** 06694.

### Program Context
Kosmos 573 was a component of the wider **Soyuz programme**. The vessel class, **Soyuz 7K-T**, is identified as the second generation of the Soyuz spacecraft series. The launch vehicle, the **Soyuz**, is a rocket family with deep roots in the Soviet space industry. The spacecraft is also referenced in historical databases via its **Freebase ID** (/m/0b7jqq).

## References

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