NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Cosmos 256

Launch Time
Sat Nov 30, 1968 12:00 UTC

Rocket

Cosmos-3M
Image Credit: OKB-586
RVSN USSR
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 1,486 kN
Payload to LEO: 1,500 kg
Payload to GTO: 0 kg
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 32.42 m
Fairing Diameter: 2.44 m
Fairing Height: 5.72 m

Mission Details

Cosmos 256

Cosmos 256 is a satellite of the Sfera constellation. Sfera satellites were used to determine the shape of the Earth and the geographical variations of its gravitational field. They did not have the shape of a sphere, but a cylinder 3 meters long. These satellites were launched until 1978, and are no longer in operation today.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 750.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

Location

Site 132/2, Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia

Stats

1968

115th orbital launch attempt

Cosmos-3

25th mission
9th mission of 1968
20th successful mission
3rd consecutive successful mission