Kosmos 291
 | This article relies on a single source. (May 2026) |
| Mission type | ASAT target |
|---|---|
| COSPAR ID | 1969-066A |
| SATCAT no. | 04058 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Launch mass | 4,000 kilograms (8,800 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 06 September 1969, 5:44:00 UTC |
| Rocket | Tsyklon |
| Launch site | Baikonur Cosmodrome |
Kosmos 291 (Russian: Космос 291 meaning Cosmos 291), was a satellite was likely intended either as a dummy interceptor or as a target satellite for later ASAT interception tests. However, after reaching a low, somewhat eccentric orbit, it failed to perform the expected orbital maneuvers, and the mission is generally regarded as unsuccessful or incomplete.
Launch
The launch on 6 August 1969 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome appears to have been the first test of the Tsyklon-2/11K69 booster. The launch occurred at 5:44:00 UTC on 6 September 1969. Shortly after launch, there was a booster failure which resulted in the loss of the spacecraft.
See also
References
- ↑ Siddiqi, Asif A. (1997). The Soviet Co-Orbital Anti-Satellite System: Technical History and Present Status (PDF) (Report). United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-03-10. Retrieved 2026-05-07.
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