astronautix.com | Chronology - 1978 - Quarter 4 |
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Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation. References: 1 , 2 , 6 , 103 .
Eight satellites launched by a single carrier rocket. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Unmanned supply vessel to Salyut 6. Delivery of fuel, consumable materials and equipment to the Salyut 6 station. Docked with Salyut 6 on 6 Oct 1978 01:00:15 GMT. Undocked on 24 Oct 1978 13:01:52 GMT. Destroyed in reentry on 26 Oct 1978 16:28:13 GMT. Total free-flight time 4.22 days. Total docked time 18.50 days. References: 1 , 2 , 6 , 275 .
High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .
Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 278 .
Seasat was the first satellite designed for remote sensing of the Earth's oceans with synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The mission ended on October 10, 1978 due to a failure of the vehicle's electric power system. The suspicion exists that the satellite was intentionally shut off because the quality and nature of the results obtained alarmed the Pentagon.
Released barium cloud. Spent boosters, spent maneuvering stages, shrouds and other non-functional objects (US Cat D). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Continued operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio-communication system within the Soviet Union and transmission of USSR central television programmes to stations in the Orbita and participating international networks (international coope ration scheme). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Environmental research. The experiments carried were a limb infrared monitoring of the stratosphere (LIMS), stratospheric and mesopheric sounder (SAMS), coastal-zone color scanner (CZCS), stratospheric aerosol measurement (SAM II), earth radiation budget (ERB), scanning multichannel microwave radiometer (SMMR), solar backscatter UV and total ozone mapping spectrometer (SBUV/TOMS), and temperature-humidity infrared radiometer (THIR). These sensors were capable of observing several parameters at and below the mesospheric levels. After 11 years in orbit, three experiments, SAM II, SBUV/TOMS, and ERB, were still functioning successfully. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 278 .
Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .
Conduct of complex investigations on the interaction between the magnetosphere and ionosphere of the earth. Launched under the Intercosmos programme by the USSR in cooperation with the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, the German Democratic Republic, the H ungarian People's Republic, the Polish People's Republic and the Socialist Republic of Romania. On 14 Nov 1978, Magion, a small Czechoslovak scientific satellite, separated from object 1296. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 116 .
Ionospheric, magnetospheric studies. The Czechoslovak satellite MAGION was launched into orbit by the Soviet spacecraft Intercosmos 18. It forms a part of the scientific programme of Intercosmos 18, launched from USSR territory on 24 Oct 1978. MAGION was separated into an autonomous orbit on 14 Nov 1978. General function: Reasearch of the magnetosphere and ionosphere of the earth (magnetosphere-ionosphere satellite). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Probable oceanographic. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Launched with Cosmos-1045. Amateur radiocommunication and scientific and technical experiments and study projects by students at higher educational establishments. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Launched with Cosmos-1045. Amateur radiocommunication and scientific and technical experiments and study projects by students at higher educational establishments. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Magnetospheric investigations. Investigation of the corpuscular and electromagnetic radiation of the sun, of solar plasma fluxes and of the magnetic fields in circumterrestrial space in order to determine the effects of solar activity on the interplanetary medium and the magnetosphere of the earth; investigation of galactic ultraviolet rays, X-rays and gamma rays. In addition to Soviet apparatus, carried scientific apparatus produced in the USSR, the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, France, the Hungarian People's Republic and Sweden. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Military topography satellite; returned film capsule; also performed mapping, geodesy, earth resources tasks; deployed capsule. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .
Maximum Altitude - 1500 km. References: 98 .
High Energy Astronomy Observatory. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 278 .
High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .
High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .
Photo surveillance; returned film capsule; maneuverable. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .
Eight satellites launched by a single carrier rocket. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .
Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .
Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 278 .
Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; deployed capsule. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .
Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Longitude 109.0. Function - telecommunications. Operating entity - Telesat Canada. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Replaced Cosmos 899. Possible ELINT satellite. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Did not achieve geostationary orbit due to malfunction of Block D. Operation of telephone and telegraph radiocommunications and transmission of television programmes. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 67 , 111 , 274 .
Probable failure. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Radar calibration. Released 7 Romb radar calibration subsatellites. Possible partially failed spacecraft bus. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Probable failure. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; maneuverable. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .
Military topography satellite; returned film capsule; also performed mapping, geodesy, earth resources tasks; separated capsule. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .
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