| Mission type | ABM radar target |
|---|---|
| COSPAR ID | 1969-090A |
| SATCATno. | 04136 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | DS-P1-Yu |
| Manufacturer | Yuzhnoye |
| Launch mass | 325 kilograms (717 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 18 October 1969, 10:00:03 (1969-10-18UTC10:00:03Z) UTC |
| Rocket | Kosmos-2I 63SM |
| Launch site | Plesetsk133/1 |
| End of mission | |
| Decay date | 23 January 1970 (1970-01-24) |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee altitude | 259 kilometres (161 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 426 kilometres (265 mi) |
| Inclination | 71 degrees |
| Period | 91.4 minutes |
Kosmos 303 (Russian:Космос 303 meaningCosmos 303), known before launch asDS-P1-Yu No.28, was aSovietsatellite which was launched in 1969 as part of theDnepropetrovsk Sputnik programme. It was a 325-kilogram (717 lb) spacecraft, which was built by theYuzhnoye Design Bureau, and was used as a radar calibration target foranti-ballistic missile tests.[1]
Kosmos 303 was launched fromSite 133/1 at thePlesetsk Cosmodrome,[2] atop aKosmos-2I 63SMcarrier rocket. The launch occurred on 18 October 1969 at 10:00:03 UTC, and resulted in the successful deployment of Kosmos 303 intolow Earth orbit.[3] Upon reaching orbit, it was assigned itsKosmos designation, and received theInternational Designator 1969-090A.
Kosmos 303 was operated in an orbit with aperigee of 259 kilometres (161 mi), anapogee of 426 kilometres (265 mi), 71 degrees ofinclination, and anorbital period of 91.4 minutes.[1][4] It remained in orbit until itdecayed and reentered the atmosphere on 23 January 1970.[4] It was the twenty-fifth of seventy nineDS-P1-Yu satellites to be launched,[1] and the twenty-third of seventy two to successfully reach orbit.[5]
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