# Kosmos 8

> technology demonstration satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q53625](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q53625)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_8)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-8

## Summary
Kosmos 8 was a Soviet signals intelligence satellite launched on August 18, 1962, as part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik program. It served as a technology demonstration satellite, contributing to early Soviet space-based intelligence gathering efforts.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: August 18, 1962, at 15:00 UTC from Kapustin Yar.
- **Mass**: 337 kilograms.
- **Orbital Parameters**:
  - Apoapsis: 591 kilometers.
  - Periapsis: 251 kilometers.
  - Orbital inclination: 49 degrees.
  - Orbital period: 92.93 minutes.
  - Orbital eccentricity: 0.02499.
- **Decay Date**: August 17, 1963.
- **Manufacturer**: Pivdenne Design Office (bus) and TsNIRTI (payload).
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos 63S1.
- **Country of Origin**: Soviet Union.
- **Class**: Signals intelligence satellite.
- **Part of**: Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik satellite family.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Kosmos 8's primary purpose?
A: Kosmos 8 was a technology demonstration satellite designed for signals intelligence gathering, part of the Soviet Union's early space-based reconnaissance efforts.

### Q: Who built Kosmos 8?
A: The satellite was built by Pivdenne Design Office for the bus and TsNIRTI for the payload, with the Soviet Union as the country of origin.

### Q: What was the orbital decay date of Kosmos 8?
A: Kosmos 8 decayed from orbit on August 17, 1963, after operating for about a year.

### Q: What launch vehicle was used for Kosmos 8?
A: The satellite was launched using the Kosmos 63S1 launch vehicle from Kapustin Yar on August 18, 1962.

### Q: What was the mass of Kosmos 8?
A: Kosmos 8 had a mass of 337 kilograms.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 8 was a pivotal early satellite in the Soviet Union's signals intelligence program, demonstrating the feasibility of space-based electronic surveillance. As part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik series, it contributed to the Soviet Union's rapid advancement in space technology during the Cold War. Its successful deployment helped establish the foundation for future Soviet reconnaissance satellites, showcasing the country's growing capabilities in space-based intelligence gathering. The satellite's relatively short operational lifespan, however, highlighted the challenges of maintaining long-term satellite operations in the early space age.

## Notable For
- First in the DS-K-8 series, a dedicated signals intelligence satellite.
- Demonstrated the Soviet Union's ability to deploy early space-based reconnaissance.
- Operated in a low Earth orbit, typical for intelligence-gathering satellites.
- Part of the larger Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik program, which included multiple satellite variants.
- Launched by the Kosmos 63S1 rocket, a reliable Soviet launch vehicle for early missions.

## Body
### Overview
Kosmos 8 was launched on August 18, 1962, as part of the Soviet Union's early space program. It was designated as a signals intelligence satellite, a classification indicating its role in electronic surveillance from space. The satellite was built by Pivdenne Design Office, with TsNIRTI responsible for the payload. It was launched from Kapustin Yar using the Kosmos 63S1 rocket.

### Orbital Characteristics
Kosmos 8 operated in a low Earth orbit with an apoapsis of 591 kilometers and a periapsis of 251 kilometers. Its orbital inclination was 49 degrees, and it completed an orbit every 92.93 minutes. The satellite's orbital eccentricity was 0.02499, indicating a near-circular orbit. These parameters were typical for early Soviet reconnaissance satellites, designed to provide continuous coverage of strategic regions.

### Operational Life
Kosmos 8 remained operational for approximately one year before decaying from orbit on August 17, 1963. Despite its short operational lifespan, it contributed valuable data to the Soviet Union's early space-based intelligence efforts. The satellite's decay marked the end of its mission, but it had already demonstrated the feasibility of space-based electronic surveillance.

### Significance
Kosmos 8 was part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik satellite family, which included multiple variants designed for various missions. Its successful deployment helped establish the Soviet Union's capabilities in space-based intelligence gathering, a critical area during the Cold War. The satellite's technology and operational data informed subsequent Soviet reconnaissance satellites, contributing to the country's growing dominance in space-based surveillance.

### Legacy
While Kosmos 8 had a relatively short operational life, it played a significant role in the Soviet Union's early space program. Its launch and subsequent operations provided valuable experience in deploying and maintaining satellites for intelligence purposes. The satellite's legacy endures in the broader context of Cold War space race, where both the United States and the Soviet Union competed to develop advanced space-based surveillance capabilities.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/ds-k-8.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=00367)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=1962-038A)
6. [Source](http://www.astronautix.com/d/ds-k-8.html)