# Oreol 1

> Soviet-French research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q54232](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q54232)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/oreol-1

## Summary
Oreol 1 (also known as Auréole 1) was a Soviet-French magnetospheric research satellite launched on December 27, 1971. It was the first satellite in the collaborative "Auréole" series designed to study the Earth's atmosphere and magnetosphere. Weighing 348 kilograms, it was manufactured by the Pivdenne Design Office and launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome aboard a Kosmos-3M rocket.

## Key Facts
- **Also Known As**: Auréole 1, DS-U2-GKA No. 1, ARCAD 1.
- **Launch Date**: December 27, 1971, at 19:00:00.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M rocket (Serial 65014-103).
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 132.
- **Mass**: 348 kilograms.
- **Orbit**: Highly elliptical low Earth orbit with an inclination of 74 degrees.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1971-119A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number**: 05729.
- **Mission Series**: Preceded the launch of Oreol 2; part of the broader Auréole series.
- **Power Source**: Spacecraft solar array (4 panels).

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Oreol 1 mission?
A: Oreol 1 was a scientific research satellite developed jointly by the Soviet Union and France. Its primary mission was to conduct magnetospheric and atmospheric research.

### Q: Who manufactured and launched Oreol 1?
A: The satellite was manufactured by the Pivdenne Design Office. It was launched by the Soviet Union using a Kosmos-3M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

### Q: What was the Oreol 1 satellite made of?
A: The satellite was based on the DS-U2-GKA model and had a launch mass of 348 kilograms. It utilized a solar array consisting of 4 panels for power.

## Why It Matters
Oreol 1 represents a significant milestone in early 1970s space exploration, specifically regarding international cooperation during the Cold War. As the first unit in the "Auréole" series, it established a framework for joint scientific endeavors between the Soviet Union and France, blending Soviet satellite bus technology with French scientific objectives.

The mission provided crucial data on the Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere from a highly elliptical orbit. Its success paved the way for subsequent missions like Oreol 2, demonstrating the reliability of the DS-U2-GKA satellite bus and the Kosmos-3M launch vehicle for complex scientific research. The data gathered helped advance the understanding of geophysical phenomena, contributing to the broader field of space weather and atmospheric science.

## Notable For
- **International Collaboration:** Being a joint project between the Soviet Union and France.
- **Series First:** Serving as the inaugural satellite (DS-U2-GKA No. 1) of the Auréole series.
- **Specific Orbit:** Operating in a highly elliptical orbit with a specific inclination of 74 degrees.
- **Launch Precision:** Successfully reaching orbit via the Kosmos-3M rocket from Site 132 at Plesetsk.

## Body

### Development and Design
Oreol 1 was developed under the DS-U2-GKA class of satellites. It was manufactured by the Pivdenne Design Office, a prominent Soviet design bureau. The spacecraft had a total mass of 348 kilograms and was equipped with a spacecraft solar array containing four panels to generate electrical power. It is also identified by the alias "ARCAD 1" within the context of the joint Soviet-French project.

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully launched on **December 27, 1971**, at precisely 19:00:00. The launch took place at the **Plesetsk Cosmodrome**, specifically from **Site 132**. The launch vehicle used was a **Kosmos-3M** rocket, identified by the serial number 65014-103. This event is recorded as a significant rocket launch event in the satellite's operational history.

### Orbital Parameters and Identification
Upon deployment, Oreol 1 entered a **low Earth orbit** that was **highly elliptical**. The orbital path maintained an inclination of **74 degrees** relative to the equator.
*   **COSPAR ID**: 1971-119A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number**: 05729

### Mission Context
Oreol 1 was part of the "Auréole" series, a program dedicated to atmospheric research. It was succeeded in this series by **Oreol 2**. The satellite is documented as a "Soviet-French research satellite" in multiple languages, including Spanish, Galician, and Russian, reflecting its binational heritage.

## Schema Markup
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  "name": "Oreol 1",
  "description": "A Soviet-French magnetospheric research satellite launched in 1971 as the first part of the Auréole series.",
  "image": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Aureol_1_Musee_du_Bourget_P1020347.JPG",
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  "additionalType": "Research Satellite"
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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/oreol-1.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report