# Salyut 5

> Soviet space station launched in 1976

**Wikidata**: [Q1043322](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1043322)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salyut_5)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/salyut-5

## Summary
Salyut 5 was a Soviet space station launched on June 22, 1976, as part of the Almaz military program. It served dual purposes of espionage research and scientific experimentation during its operational lifetime.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: June 22, 1976, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Proton-K carrier rocket.
- **Mass**: 19,000 kilograms.
- **Dimensions**: 14.55 meters in length.
- **Orbital Parameters**: Periapsis 213 km, apoapsis 269 km, inclination 51.4°.
- **Mission Duration**: Operational until August 8, 1977.
- **Crew Capacity**: Maximum 2 passengers.
- **Design Part**: Belonged to the Almaz military program.
- **Orbital Inclination**: 51.4 degrees relative to Earth's equator.
- **Total Orbits**: Completed 6,666 orbits.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of Salyut 5?
A: Salyut 5 was designed for espionage and research, focusing on military reconnaissance and scientific experiments under the Almaz program.

### Q: How did Salyut 5 differ from previous Salyut stations?
A: It was part of the Almaz military program (unlike earlier Salyut stations) and was structurally identical to its predecessor Salyut 3 (OPS-2).

### Q: When and where was Salyut 5 decommissioned?
A: It was decommissioned on August 8, 1977, after completing its mission in low Earth orbit.

### Q: What propulsion system launched Salyut 5?
A: It was carried into orbit by a Proton-K carrier rocket.

### Q: What was Salyut 5's international designation?
A: Its COSPAR ID was 1976-057A, and it was also known by its military designation OPS-3.

## Why It Matters
Salyut 5 advanced Soviet space capabilities by integrating military reconnaissance with scientific research in a single platform. It provided critical insights into long-duration space habitation and remote sensing technologies, directly supporting Cold War-era intelligence efforts. Its operational success validated the Almaz program's viability, bridging the gap between purely scientific stations (like earlier Salyut models) and military applications. The station's 6,666 orbits established endurance precedents for future Soviet and international space stations, while its dual-use design influenced later multi-purpose orbital facilities.

## Notable For
- **Military Integration**: Served as a reconnaissance platform under the classified Almaz program, unlike earlier Salyut stations.
- **Structural Twin**: Identical in design to the preceding Salyut 3 (OPS-2), standardizing Almaz hardware.
- **Orbital Endurance**: Completed 6,666 orbits before deorbiting, demonstrating sustained operational capability.
- **Launch Site**: Deployed from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23, a specialized facility for large space vehicles.
- **Succession**: Marked the final iteration of the Almaz program before transitioning to the Salyut 6 civilian station.

## Body
### Overview
Salyut 5 (OPS-3) was a Soviet space station launched on June 22, 1976. As part of the Almaz military program, it conducted reconnaissance and research missions before deorbiting on August 8, 1977.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 19,000 kilograms  
- **Length**: 14.55 meters  
- **Orbit**: Elliptical orbit with periapsis (closest point) at 213 km and apoapsis (farthest point) at 269 km  
- **Inclination**: 51.4 degrees relative to Earth's equator  
- **Crew Capacity**: 2 personnel maximum  
- **Total Orbits**: 6,666 completed missions  

### Program Context
- **Series**: Part of the Salyut programme but operated under the Almaz military designation (OPS-3)  
- **Predecessor**: Salyut 4 (launched December 26, 1974)  
- **Successor**: Salyut 6  
- **Affiliation**: Soviet Union  

### Deployment and Operations
- **Launch**: Deployed via Proton-K rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23  
- **Identical Design**: Shared structural blueprint with Salyut 3 (OPS-2) per Almaz program standards  
- **Designation**: Also known as OPS-3 in military contexts  

### Records and Identification
- **COSPAR ID**: 1976-057A  
- **SCN Code**: 08911  
- **Native Label**: Салют-5  
- **Wikidata Entity**: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367

## References

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