The Day Fiery Failure Launched NASA
Sixty-eight years ago, America's first satellite exploded on the launchpad in front of the entire world. But from the ashes of Vanguard TV-3 came the determination that would eventually win the Space Race.
COSMOS 394 (04922)
COSPAR: 1971-010A | Alt Name: Kosmos-394
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
February 9, 1971
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC132/1
Launch Vehicle
Kosmos 11K65M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
04922
International Designator
1971-010A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 19:13:11 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
65.82°
Right Ascension
219.83°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
232.19°
Period
92.98 min
Mean Motion
15.49 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COSMOS 394
Alternative Name
Kosmos-394
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
PKO
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 04922U 71010A 26184.80082812 .00005390 00000-0 10423-3 0 9996
2 04922 65.8173 219.8341 0012609 232.1883 127.8127 15.48773404 60593
Source: Celestrak
Summary
Apologies, there is no summary for this satellite yet. I am working to generate these for every object in the catalog, but it is going to take time.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.4
Diameter
1.4
Span
1.4
Dry Mass
643
Launch Mass
643
Shape
Poly
Radar Cross Section
1.2405
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
DS-P1-M No. 2L
Purpose
ASAT target
Mission
ASAT target
Manufacturer
YUZH
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
DS-P1
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
None
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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