NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Cosmos 539

Launch Time
Thu Dec 21, 1972 02:05 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 539

Cosmos 539 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

1972

109th orbital launch attempt

Cosmos-3

81st mission
14th mission of 1972
70th successful mission
3rd consecutive successful mission