Kosmos 3M Credit - Sven Grahn

Definitive and prolific production version of satellite launcher based on Yangel R-14 IRBM. After further development at NPO Polyot (Omsk, Chief Designer A S Klinishkov), the modified Kosmos-3M added a restartable second stage with an orientation system. This booster was launched form two 'Cusovaya' launch complexes from 1967. The second stage used low thrust rockets using gas generator output to adjust the final velocity of the stage

Manufacturer: Yuzhnoye. Launches: 439. Failures: 20. Success Rate: 95.44%. First Launch Date: 1967-05-15. Last Launch Date: 2006-12-19. Launch data is: continuing. LEO Payload: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). to: 250 km Orbit. at: 51.60 degrees. Payload: 775 kg (1,708 lb). to a: Sun synchronous, 800 km, 98.5 deg inclination trajectory. Apogee: 2,000 km (1,200 mi). Associated Spacecraft: ABRIXAS, Aryabhata, Astrid, Astrid-2, AUOS, Bhaskara, DS-P1-M, DS-U2-GKA, DS-U2-IK, DS-U2-IP, DS-U2-K, DS-U2-MT, DS-U3-IK, Early Bird, Enhanced Microsat SSTL, FAISAT, GVM DS-U2-IK, Informator, Ionosfernaya, Kitsat, Magion, Megsat, Microsat SSTL, Nadezhda. Other Associated Spacecraft: Nanosat SSTL, Oscar, Parus, Radio, Sfera, Signe, Strela-1M, Strela-2M, Strela-3, Taifun-1, Taifun-1Yu, Taifun-2, Tselina-O, Tsikada, Tsiklon. Liftoff Thrust: 1,486.000 kN (334,066 lbf). Total Mass: 109,000 kg (240,000 lb). Core Diameter: 2.40 m (7.80 ft). Total Length: 32.40 m (106.20 ft). Launch Price $: 10.000 million. in: 1994 price dollars. Flyaway Unit Cost $: 12.000 million. in: 1999 unit dollars.

• Stage Number: 1. 1 x Stage: Kosmos-1. Gross Mass: 87,200 kg (192,200 lb). Empty Mass: 5,300 kg (11,600 lb). Thrust (vac): 1,740.023 kN (391,173 lbf). Isp: 292 sec. Burn time: 130 sec. Isp(sl): 248 sec. Diameter: 2.40 m (7.80 ft). Span: 4.40 m (14.40 ft). Length: 22.40 m (73.40 ft). Propellants: Nitric acid/UDMH. No Engines: 1. Engine: RD-216. Other designations: Skean; SS-5; R-14; 8K65; 65; 11K65. Launch count 411 orbital and ca. 300 suborbital to end 1994. Failures based on proration of failures to orbit.

• Stage Number: 2. 1 x Stage: Kosmos-2. Gross Mass: 20,135 kg (44,390 lb). Empty Mass: 1,435 kg (3,163 lb). Thrust (vac): 156.000 kN (35,070 lbf). Isp: 303 sec. Burn time: 375 sec. Diameter: 2.40 m (7.80 ft). Span: 2.40 m (7.80 ft). Length: 6.00 m (19.60 ft). Propellants: Nitric acid/UDMH. No Engines: 1. Engine: 11D49. Other designations: S3. Launch count 411 orbital and ca. 300 suborbital to end 1994. Failures based on proration of failures to orbit.

• McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.

• Isakowitz, Steven J,, International Reference to Space Launch Systems Second Edition, AIAA, Washington DC, 1991 (succeeded by 2000 edition). ISBN: 1563473534. Superseded by the later editions. More at amazon.com...

• Zak, Anatoly, Spaceflight, "Cosmos Launcher", 1996, Volume 38, page 416.

• Agapov, V, Novosti Kosmonavtiki, "K zapusku pervovo ISZ serii 'DS'", 1997, Issue 6.

• Melnik, T G, Voenno-Kosmicheskiy Siliy, Nauka, Moscow, 1997.. Two-volume official history of the (now defunct) Russin space forces.