# Kosmos 668

> Soviet satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q53612](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q53612)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_668)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-668

## Summary
Kosmos 668 was a Soviet satellite launched in 1974 as part of the DS-P1-Yu radar calibration program. It was deployed to test radar systems and operated for nearly eight years before decaying from orbit. The satellite was built by the Pivdenne Design Office and launched aboard a Kosmos-2I rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: July 25, 1974, at 12:06:00 UTC.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1974-058A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 07385.
- **Manufacturer**: Pivdenne Design Office (Soviet Union).
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-2I, a superseded Soviet carrier rocket.
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133.
- **Decay Date**: March 4, 1982.
- **Mission Type**: Radar calibration and testing for the Soviet military.
- **Class**: DS-P1-Yu (No.74).

## FAQs
### Q: When was Kosmos 668 launched?
A: Kosmos 668 was launched on July 25, 1974, at 12:06:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133.

### Q: What was the purpose of Kosmos 668?
A: The satellite was designed for radar calibration and testing as part of the Soviet DS-P1-Yu program, supporting military radar system development.

### Q: How long did Kosmos 668 remain in orbit?
A: It operated until March 4, 1982, when it decayed from orbit after nearly eight years.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 668 played a role in the Soviet Union’s efforts to refine radar technology during the Cold War. As part of the DS-P1-Yu series, it contributed to the calibration and testing of ground-based radar systems, ensuring their accuracy and reliability for military applications. Its nearly eight-year operational lifespan underscored the durability of its design, reflecting the broader success of the DS-P1-Yu program, which launched over 90 similar satellites between 1966 and 1983. This satellite represents a tangible example of how space-based assets were integrated into Soviet defense strategies, highlighting the intersection of space technology and military preparedness during the era.

## Notable For
- **Radar Calibration Mission**: Served as a target for ground-based radar systems to test and calibrate their performance.
- **Kosmos-2I Launch Vehicle**: Demonstrated the capabilities of this superseded Soviet rocket, which was widely used for small satellite deployments.
- **Long Orbital Lifespan**: Operated for nearly eight years, outlasting many similar satellites of its era.
- **Pivdenne Design Office Heritage**: Built by a leading Soviet engineering bureau responsible for numerous space and missile systems.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date/Time**: July 25, 1974, at 12:06:00 UTC.
- **Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 133, a remote launch facility in northern Russia.
- **Rocket**: Kosmos-2I (a two-stage launch vehicle derived from the R-12 Dvina missile).

### Satellite Specifications
- **Class**: DS-P1-Yu No.74, a standardized satellite bus for radar calibration missions.
- **Manufacturer**: Pivdenne Design Office (now part of Ukraine’s Yuzhnoye State Design Office).
- **Identifiers**: 
  - **COSPAR ID**: 1974-058A.
  - **SCN**: 07385.

### Mission Purpose
- **Primary Role**: To act as a passive radar target for testing and calibrating Soviet radar installations.
- **Operational Period**: Conducted missions from 1974 until its orbital decay in 1982.

### Decay
- **Date**: Re-entered Earth’s atmosphere on March 4, 1982.
- **Longevity**: Its extended operational lifespan (7 years, 7 months) exceeded the typical duration of similar satellites.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report