# Oreol 3

> Soviet-French research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q6052292](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6052292)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/oreol-3

## Summary
Oreol 3 was a Soviet-French research satellite launched on September 21, 1981, as part of the Auréole program. It was designed for atmospheric and space research, operating in a highly elliptical orbit with an apogee of 1,920 kilometers and a perigee of 380 kilometers.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: September 21, 1981, at 13:10 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Tsyklon-3, with serial number 67099-802.
- **Mass**: 1,030 kilograms.
- **Orbit**: Highly elliptical orbit with an apogee of 1,920 km and a perigee of 380 km.
- **Orbital Period**: 108 minutes.
- **Orbital Inclination**: 82.6 degrees.
- **Power Source**: Spacecraft solar array with 8 panels.
- **Spacecraft Bus**: Automated Universal Orbital Station (AUOS-Z-M-A-IK No. 401).
- **Manufacturer**: Pivdenne Design Office.
- **Country of Origin**: Soviet Union (primary), France (collaborator).
- **Part of**: Auréole series of atmospheric research satellites.
- **Preceded by**: Oreol 2.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Oreol 3?
A: Oreol 3 was a Soviet-French research satellite designed for atmospheric and space research, contributing to the Auréole program.

### Q: When was Oreol 3 launched?
A: Oreol 3 was launched on September 21, 1981, at 13:10 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32.

### Q: What was the orbit of Oreol 3?
A: Oreol 3 operated in a highly elliptical orbit with an apogee of 1,920 kilometers and a perigee of 380 kilometers.

### Q: What was the mass of Oreol 3?
A: Oreol 3 had a mass of 1,030 kilograms.

### Q: What was the orbital period of Oreol 3?
A: Oreol 3 had an orbital period of 108 minutes.

## Why It Matters
Oreol 3 was part of the Auréole program, a collaborative effort between the Soviet Union and France to study Earth's atmosphere and space environment. The satellite contributed to scientific research by collecting data on atmospheric conditions and space phenomena. Its launch and operation were significant for advancing our understanding of the upper atmosphere and its interactions with space. The Auréole program, of which Oreol 3 was a part, demonstrated the value of international cooperation in space exploration and atmospheric research.

## Notable For
- **Collaborative Effort**: Oreol 3 was a joint Soviet-French project, reflecting the cooperation between the two nations in space research.
- **Atmospheric Research**: The satellite was designed to study Earth's atmosphere, contributing to scientific knowledge about the upper atmosphere.
- **Highly Elliptical Orbit**: Oreol 3's orbit allowed it to cover a wide range of altitudes, providing valuable data on atmospheric conditions at different heights.
- **Part of the Auréole Series**: Oreol 3 was the third satellite in the Auréole series, following Oreol 2, and continued the program's focus on atmospheric research.
- **Technological Advancement**: The satellite's design and operation demonstrated advancements in spacecraft technology and international collaboration in space research.

## Body
### Overview
Oreol 3 was a research satellite launched as part of the Auréole program, a collaborative initiative between the Soviet Union and France. The satellite was designed to conduct atmospheric and space research, contributing to scientific understanding of Earth's upper atmosphere.

### Launch Details
- **Launch Date**: September 21, 1981, at 13:10 UTC.
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 32.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Tsyklon-3, serial number 67099-802.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 1,030 kilograms.
- **Orbit**: Highly elliptical orbit with an apogee of 1,920 kilometers and a perigee of 380 kilometers.
- **Orbital Period**: 108 minutes.
- **Orbital Inclination**: 82.6 degrees.
- **Power Source**: Spacecraft solar array with 8 panels.
- **Spacecraft Bus**: Automated Universal Orbital Station (AUOS-Z-M-A-IK No. 401).

### Mission and Contributions
- **Research Focus**: Oreol 3 was part of the Auréole program, which aimed to study Earth's atmosphere and space environment.
- **Collaboration**: The satellite was a joint effort between the Soviet Union and France, highlighting international cooperation in space research.
- **Data Collection**: Oreol 3 collected data on atmospheric conditions and space phenomena, contributing to scientific knowledge.

### Significance
- **Atmospheric Research**: Oreol 3's mission supported the study of Earth's upper atmosphere, providing insights into atmospheric dynamics and space interactions.
- **Technological Demonstration**: The satellite demonstrated the capabilities of Soviet-French collaboration in space research and technological advancements.
- **Program Continuation**: Oreol 3 followed Oreol 2, continuing the Auréole program's focus on atmospheric research and international cooperation.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Oreol 3",
  "description": "Soviet-French research satellite launched in 1981 as part of the Auréole program for atmospheric and space research.",
  "additionalType": "ResearchSatellite",
  "launchDate": "1981-09-21T13:10:00Z",
  "launchVehicle": "Tsyklon-3",
  "mass": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": "1030",
    "unitCode": "KGM"
  },
  "orbit": {
    "@type": "Orbit",
    "apoapsis": {
      "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
      "value": "1920",
      "unitCode": "KMT"
    },
    "periapsis": {
      "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
      "value": "380",
      "unitCode": "KMT"
    },
    "inclination": {
      "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
      "value": "82.6",
      "unitCode": "DEG"
    }
  },
  "orbitalPeriod": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": "108",
    "unitCode": "MIN"
  },
  "powerSource": "spacecraft solar array",
  "spacecraftBus": "Automated Universal Orbital Station",
  "manufacturer": "Pivdenne Design Office",
  "countryOfOrigin": "Soviet Union",
  "partOf": "Auréole",
  "predecessor": "Oreol 2",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12848",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oreol_3"
  ]
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/oreol-3.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report