Kosmos 305 (Russian: Космос 305 meaning Cosmos 305) (Ye-8-5 series) was the fifth Soviet attempt at an uncrewed lunar sample return. It was probably similar in design to the Luna 16 spacecraft. It was launched, on a Proton rocket, on October 22, 1969.[3] The engines on the Block D upper stage failed, terminating the mission. This left the spacecraft stranded in Earth orbit. It re-entered within two days.[4]
 A Ye-8-5 model in the Museum of Cosmonautics, Moscow. | |
| Operator | Soviet space program |
|---|---|
| COSPAR ID | 1969-092A |
| SATCAT no. | 4150 |
| Mission duration | 2 days |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Ye-8-5 |
| Manufacturer | GSMZ Lavochkin |
| Launch mass | 5,600 kg (12,300 lb)[1] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | October 22, 1969, 14:09:00 UTC[2] |
| Rocket | Proton-K/D |
| Launch site | Baikonur 81/24 |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Launch failure |
| Decay date | October 24, 1969 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric[2] |
| Perigee altitude | 182 km (113 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 208 km (129 mi) |
| Inclination | 51.4° |
| Period | 88.4 min |
References
edit- ^ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Cosmos 305". Retrieved 25 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Luna Ye-8-5 - Encyclopedia Astronautica". Retrieved 25 May 2024.
- ^ "Luna - Exploring the Moon". orbitalfocus.uk. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
- ^ Siddiqi, Asif A. (2018). "Kosmos 305 [Luna]" (PDF). Beyond Earth: A Chronicle of Deep Space Exploration, 1958-2016. NASA History Program Office: 92. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
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