| Date |
Time (UTC) |
Event |
| 1972 Jan 6 |
08:24 |
Cosmos 470 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Jan 12 |
09:59 |
Cosmos 471 (Zenit-4M, Rotor) launched into 200 x 316 kilometre, 89.7 minutes period, 65 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Upgraded Zenit-4 photo-reconnaissance satellite with orbit-adjustment engine. |
| 1972 Jan 14 |
03:38 |
Orbit of Cosmos 471 reported as 176 x 306 kilometres, 65 deg inclination with 89.7 minutes period. |
| 1972 Jan 15 |
04:57 |
Orbit of Cosmos 471 reported as 186 x 293 kilometres, 65 deg inclination with 89.3 minutes period. |
| 1972 Jan 15 |
10:55 |
Orbit of Cosmos 471 reported as 176 x 341 kilometres, 65 deg inclination with 89.3 minutes period. |
| 1972 Jan 17 |
09:15 |
Orbit of Cosmos 471 reported as 179 x 336 kilometres, 65 deg inclination with 89.7 minutes period. |
| 1972 Jan 19 |
01:27 |
Orbit of Cosmos 471 reported as 175 x 280 kilometres, 65 deg inclination with 89.7 minutes period. |
| 1972 Jan 25 |
07:12 |
Cosmos 471 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Feb 3 |
08:40 |
Cosmos 473 (Zenit-2M 11Ф690, Gektor) launched into 203 x 315 kilometre, 89.7 minutes period, 65 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Photo-reconnaissance satellite. |
| 1972 Feb 14 |
03:27 |
Luna 20 (E-8-5-408) launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome by four-stage Proton rocket into 191 x 238 kilometre orbit around the Earth at 51.5 degrees inclination - its mission is to enter orbit around the Moon, then land and return a soil sample to Earth |
| 1972 Feb 14 |
04:37 |
Final stage of Luna 20 launching rocket fired to place it into a trajectory towards the Moon |
| 1972 Feb 15 |
|
Luna 20 rocket engine is used to correct its trajectory towards the Moon |
| 1972 Feb 15 |
06:14 |
Cosmos 473 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Feb 16 |
09:30 |
Cosmos 474 (Zenit-4M, Rotor) launched into 213 x 316 kilometre, 89.8 minutes period, 65 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Upgraded Zenit-4 photo-reconnaissance satellite with orbit-adjustment engine. |
| 1972 Feb 17 |
18:16 |
Orbit of Cosmos 474 reported as 178 x 321 kilometres, 64.9 deg inclination with 89.8 minutes period. |
| 1972 Feb 18 |
12:15 |
Approx time - Luna 20 enters 100 kilometre circular orbit around the Moon at 65 degrees inclination |
| 1972 Feb 19 |
|
After firing its onboard rocket engine, Luna 20 orbit around the Moon is now 21 x 100 kilometres at 65 degrees inclination |
| 1972 Feb 21 |
13:16 |
Orbit of Cosmos 474 reported as 177 x 317 kilometres, 65 deg inclination with 89.5 minutes period. |
| 1972 Feb 21 |
17:13 |
After completing 54 orbits of the Moon and holding 85 communications sessions with the Earth, Luna 20 fires its rocket engine and begins its descent towards a landing on the Moon surface |
| 1972 Feb 21 |
17:19 |
Luna 20 lands on the Moon at 3.53 degrees north, 56.55 degrees east in the Appolonius Highlands - 1.8 kilometres from where Luna 18 was lost |
| 1972 Feb 21 |
|
Luna 20 uses a hollow drill to collect a core sample of the lunar surface - it weighs 35 grammes |
| 1972 Feb 22 |
05:39 |
Orbit of Cosmos 474 reported as 177 x 282 kilometres, 65 deg inclination with 89.5 minutes period. |
| 1972 Feb 22 |
22:58 |
Luna 20 return stage fires its rocket motor and begins its journey back to Earth |
| 1972 Feb 25 |
19:12 |
Luna 20 re-entry capsule touches down 40 kilometres north-west of Dzhezhkazgan at 48 degrees north, 67.57 degrees east |
| 1972 Feb 26 |
|
Search teams reach and retrieve Luna 20 re-entry capsule |
| 1972 Feb 29 |
07:12 |
Cosmos 474 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Mar 4 |
10:00 |
Cosmos 477 (Zenit-2M 11Ф690, Gektor) launched into 201 x 304 kilometre, 89.6 minutes period, 72.9 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Photo-reconnaissance satellite. Carried Nauka autonomous module that studied particle flux and radiation. |
| 1972 Mar 15 |
13:00 |
Cosmos 478 (Zenit-4M, Rotor) launched into 204 x 294 kilometre, 89.5 minutes period, 65.4 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Upgraded Zenit-4 photo-reconnaissance satellite with orbit-adjustment engine. |
| 1972 Mar 16 |
04:48 |
Cosmos 477 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Mar 19 |
16:24 |
Orbit of Cosmos 478 reported as 176 x 274 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.5 minutes period. |
| 1972 Mar 21 |
18:57 |
Orbit of Cosmos 478 reported as 174 x 362 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89 minutes period. |
| 1972 Mar 24 |
17:16 |
Orbit of Cosmos 478 reported as 174 x 337 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.9 minutes period. |
| 1972 Mar 25 |
14:11 |
Orbit of Cosmos 478 reported as 181 x 336 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.6 minutes period. |
| 1972 Mar 28 |
05:17 |
Cosmos 478 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Apr 3 |
10:15 |
Cosmos 483 (Zenit-4M, Rotor) launched into 204 x 318 kilometre, 89.8 minutes period, 72.8 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Upgraded Zenit-4 photo-reconnaissance satellite with orbit-adjustment engine. |
| 1972 Apr 5 |
00:53 |
Orbit of Cosmos 483 reported as 175 x 307 kilometres, 72.8 deg inclination with 89.8 minutes period. |
| 1972 Apr 5 |
11:19 |
Orbit of Cosmos 483 reported as 179 x 333 kilometres, 72.8 deg inclination with 89.4 minutes period. |
| 1972 Apr 6 |
08:00 |
Cosmos 484 (Zenit-2M 11Ф690, Gektor) launched into 193 x 222 kilometre, 88.7 minutes period, 81.2 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Photo-reconnaissance satellite. Carried Nauka autonomous module that conducted cosmic ray experiments. |
| 1972 Apr 14 |
08:00 |
Cosmos 486 (Zenit-4M, Rotor) launched into 222 x 232 kilometre, 89.1 minutes period, 81.3 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Upgraded Zenit-4 photo-reconnaissance satellite with orbit-adjustment engine. |
| 1972 Apr 15 |
06:00 |
Cosmos 483 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Apr 17 |
09:47 |
Orbit of Cosmos 486 reported as 173 x 228 kilometres, 81.3 deg inclination with 89.1 minutes period. |
| 1972 Apr 18 |
05:02 |
Cosmos 484 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Apr 18 |
07:56 |
Orbit of Cosmos 486 reported as 174 x 276 kilometres, 81.3 deg inclination with 88.6 minutes period. |
| 1972 Apr 27 |
04:48 |
Cosmos 486 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 May 5 |
11:20 |
Cosmos 488 (Zenit-4MK, Germes) launched into 206 x 294 kilometre, 89.5 minutes period, 65.4 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Variant of the manoeuvrable Zenit-4M but with high resolution cameras. |
| 1972 May 10 |
16:00 |
Orbit of Cosmos 488 reported as 177 x 275 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.5 minutes period. |
| 1972 May 11 |
06:52 |
Orbit of Cosmos 488 reported as 175 x 351 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89 minutes period. |
| 1972 May 13 |
21:37 |
Orbit of Cosmos 488 reported as 178 x 332 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.8 minutes period. |
| 1972 May 14 |
06:35 |
Orbit of Cosmos 488 reported as 174 x 355 kilometres, 65.5 deg inclination with 89.6 minutes period. |
| 1972 May 17 |
10:19 |
Cosmos 490 (Zenit-2M 11Ф690, Gektor) launched into 204 x 285 kilometre, 89.4 minutes period, 65.4 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Photo-reconnaissance satellite. Carried Nauka autonomous module that measured electron flux and cosmic rays. |
| 1972 May 18 |
04:48 |
Cosmos 488 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 May 25 |
06:35 |
Cosmos 491 (Zenit-4M, Rotor) launched into 200 x 287 kilometre, 89.4 minutes period, 65 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Upgraded Zenit-4 photo-reconnaissance satellite with orbit-adjustment engine. |
| 1972 May 26 |
13:42 |
Orbit of Cosmos 491 reported as 177 x 268 kilometres, 65 deg inclination with 89.4 minutes period. |
| 1972 May 27 |
07:30 |
Orbit of Cosmos 491 reported as 175 x 320 kilometres, 65 deg inclination with 89 minutes period. |
| 1972 May 29 |
03:50 |
Cosmos 490 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Jun 5 |
12:49 |
Orbit of Cosmos 491 reported as 173 x 354 kilometres, 65 deg inclination with 89.5 minutes period. |
| 1972 Jun 6 |
06:46 |
Orbit of Cosmos 491 reported as 166 x 346 kilometres, 65 deg inclination with 89.8 minutes period. |
| 1972 Jun 8 |
02:24 |
Cosmos 491 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Jun 9 |
06:59 |
Cosmos 492 (Zenit-4M, Rotor) launched into 204 x 322 kilometre, 89.8 minutes period, 65 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Upgraded Zenit-4 photo-reconnaissance satellite with orbit-adjustment engine. |
| 1972 Jun 10 |
09:47 |
Orbit of Cosmos 492 reported as 163 x 334 kilometres, 65 deg inclination with 89.8 minutes period. |
| 1972 Jun 15 |
03:02 |
Orbit of Cosmos 492 reported as 172 x 311 kilometres, 65 deg inclination with 89.5 minutes period. |
| 1972 Jun 16 |
07:19 |
Orbit of Cosmos 492 reported as 174 x 320 kilometres, 65 deg inclination with 89.3 minutes period. |
| 1972 Jun 18 |
21:54 |
Orbit of Cosmos 492 reported as 173 x 312 kilometres, 65 deg inclination with 89.4 minutes period. |
| 1972 Jun 19 |
08:20 |
Orbit of Cosmos 492 reported as 179 x 317 kilometres, 65 deg inclination with 89.4 minutes period. |
| 1972 Jun 21 |
06:25 |
Cosmos 493 (Zenit-2M 11Ф690, Gektor) launched into 202 x 273 kilometre, 89.3 minutes period, 65 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Photo-reconnaissance satellite. |
| 1972 Jun 22 |
03:50 |
Cosmos 492 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Jun 23 |
11:19 |
Cosmos 495 (Zenit-4M, Rotor) launched into 201 x 277 kilometre, 89.3 minutes period, 65.4 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Upgraded Zenit-4 photo-reconnaissance satellite with orbit-adjustment engine. |
| 1972 Jun 26 |
22:25 |
Orbit of Cosmos 495 reported as 200 x 275 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.3 minutes period. |
| 1972 Jun 28 |
11:31 |
Orbit of Cosmos 495 reported as 170 x 320 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.3 minutes period. |
| 1972 Jul 3 |
03:50 |
Cosmos 493 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Jul 4 |
14:55 |
Orbit of Cosmos 495 reported as 169 x 305 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.4 minutes period. |
| 1972 Jul 5 |
13:14 |
Orbit of Cosmos 495 reported as 167 x 304 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.3 minutes period. |
| 1972 Jul 6 |
04:48 |
Cosmos 495 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Jul 6 |
10:40 |
Cosmos 499 (Zenit-4M, Rotor) launched into 210 x 289 kilometre, 89.4 minutes period, 51.8 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Upgraded Zenit-4 photo-reconnaissance satellite with orbit-adjustment engine. |
| 1972 Jul 10 |
13:43 |
Orbit of Cosmos 499 reported as 175 x 253 kilometres, 51.8 deg inclination with 89.4 minutes period. |
| 1972 Jul 11 |
23:48 |
Orbit of Cosmos 499 reported as 178 x 293 kilometres, 51.8 deg inclination with 88.7 minutes period. |
| 1972 Jul 13 |
14:30 |
Cosmos 502 (Zenit-4MT, Orion) launched into 204 x 261 kilometre, 89.2 minutes period, 65.4 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Soyuz 11A511M rocket. Photographic imaging satellite for cartography. |
| 1972 Jul 17 |
07:57 |
Cosmos 499 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Jul 19 |
13:45 |
Cosmos 503 (Zenit-4M, Rotor) launched into 205 x 284 kilometre, 89.4 minutes period, 65.4 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Upgraded Zenit-4 photo-reconnaissance satellite with orbit-adjustment engine. |
| 1972 Jul 21 |
05:40 |
Orbit of Cosmos 503 reported as 170 x 283 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.4 minutes period. |
| 1972 Jul 21 |
13:06 |
Orbit of Cosmos 503 reported as 170 x 320 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89 minutes period. |
| 1972 Jul 25 |
07:12 |
Cosmos 502 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Jul 26 |
16:43 |
Orbit of Cosmos 503 reported as 170 x 307 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.4 minutes period. |
| 1972 Jul 27 |
18:00 |
Orbit of Cosmos 503 reported as 168 x 305 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.3 minutes period. |
| 1972 Jul 28 |
10:19 |
Cosmos 512 (Zenit-2M 11Ф690, Gektor) launched into 205 x 272 kilometre, 89.3 minutes period, 65.4 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Photo-reconnaissance satellite. |
| 1972 Jul 28 |
10:22 |
Orbit of Cosmos 503 reported as 171 x 306 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.2 minutes period. |
| 1972 Aug 1 |
06:43 |
Cosmos 503 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Aug 2 |
08:15 |
Cosmos 513 (Zenit-4M, Rotor) launched into 203 x 320 kilometre, 89.7 minutes period, 65 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Upgraded Zenit-4 photo-reconnaissance satellite with orbit-adjustment engine. |
| 1972 Aug 9 |
02:24 |
Cosmos 512 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Aug 12 |
04:45 |
Orbit of Cosmos 513 reported as 171 x 284 kilometres, 65 deg inclination with 89.7 minutes period. |
| 1972 Aug 12 |
10:43 |
Orbit of Cosmos 513 reported as 169 x 372 kilometres, 65 deg inclination with 89.1 minutes period. |
| 1972 Aug 15 |
05:02 |
Cosmos 513 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Aug 18 |
10:00 |
Cosmos 515 (Zenit-4MK, Germes) launched into 202 x 278 kilometre, 89.3 minutes period, 72.9 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Variant of the manoeuvrable Zenit-4M with high resolution cameras. |
| 1972 Aug 19 |
09:38 |
Orbit of Cosmos 515 reported as 187 x 324 kilometres, 72.9 deg inclination with 89.3 minutes period. |
| 1972 Aug 25 |
04:29 |
Orbit of Cosmos 515 reported as 190 x 304 kilometres, 72.8 deg inclination with 89.7 minutes period. |
| 1972 Aug 25 |
08:58 |
Orbit of Cosmos 515 reported as 191 x 333 kilometres, 72.8 deg inclination with 89.5 minutes period. |
| 1972 Aug 30 |
08:19 |
Cosmos 517 (Zenit-2M 11Ф690, Gektor) launched into 201 x 291 kilometre, 89.4 minutes period, 65 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Photo-reconnaissance satellite. |
| 1972 Aug 31 |
04:19 |
Cosmos 515 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Sep 2 |
|
Zenit-4M, Rotor launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Upgraded Zenit-4 photo-reconnaissance satellite with orbit-adjustment engine. |
| 1972 Sep 11 |
05:02 |
Cosmos 517 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Sep 15 |
09:40 |
Cosmos 518 (Zenit-2M 11Ф690, Gektor) launched into 204 x 307 kilometre, 89.7 minutes period, 72.8 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Photo-reconnaissance satellite. Carried Nauka autonomous module. |
| 1972 Sep 16 |
08:20 |
Cosmos 519 (Zenit-4M, Rotor) launched into 214 x 352 kilometre, 90.2 minutes period, 71.3 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Upgraded Zenit-4 photo-reconnaissance satellite with orbit-adjustment engine. |
| 1972 Sep 24 |
06:00 |
Cosmos 518 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Sep 26 |
06:00 |
Cosmos 519 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Oct 3 |
|
The Soviet Union announces that Luna 19 is nearing the end of its mission as its onboard systems have deteriorated through age and exposure to space, and propellant for the attitude control system is running low |
| 1972 Oct 4 |
12:00 |
Cosmos 522 (Zenit-4M, Rotor) launched into 201 x 320 kilometre, 89.8 minutes period, 72.9 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Upgraded Zenit-4 photo-reconnaissance satellite with orbit-adjustment engine. |
| 1972 Oct 9 |
11:26 |
Orbit of Cosmos 522 reported as 203 x 313 kilometres, 72.8 deg inclination with 89.8 minutes period. |
| 1972 Oct 11 |
09:42 |
Orbit of Cosmos 522 reported as 172 x 351 kilometres, 72.8 deg inclination with 89.7 minutes period. |
| 1972 Oct 13 |
06:35 |
Orbit of Cosmos 522 reported as 172 x 345 kilometres, 72.8 deg inclination with 89.8 minutes period. |
| 1972 Oct 14 |
00:32 |
Orbit of Cosmos 522 reported as 177 x 362 kilometres, 72.8 deg inclination with 89.7 minutes period. |
| 1972 Oct 15 |
08:00 |
Orbit of Cosmos 522 reported as 177 x 367 kilometres, 72.8 deg inclination with 89.9 minutes period. |
| 1972 Oct 15 |
15:31 |
Orbit of Cosmos 522 reported as 177 x 368 kilometres, 72.8 deg inclination with 90 minutes period. |
| 1972 Oct 16 |
06:31 |
Orbit of Cosmos 522 reported as 173 x 351 kilometres, 72.8 deg inclination with 90 minutes period. |
| 1972 Oct 17 |
06:43 |
Cosmos 522 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Oct 18 |
11:59 |
Cosmos 525 (Zenit-2M 11Ф690, Gektor) launched into 206 x 268 kilometre, 89.3 minutes period, 65.4 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Photo-reconnaissance satellite. Carried Nauka autonomous module that tested components of the Condor control unit for the upcoming Yantar series - it was separated about day 9 of the flight. |
| 1972 Oct 29 |
05:02 |
Cosmos 525 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Oct 31 |
13:29 |
Cosmos 527 (Zenit-4MK, Germes) launched into 206 x 305 kilometre, 89.6 minutes period, 65.4 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Variant of the manoeuvrable Zenit-4M with high resolution cameras. |
| 1972 Nov 3 |
17:12 |
Orbit of Cosmos 527 reported as 174 x 280 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.6 minutes period. |
| 1972 Nov 4 |
05:05 |
Orbit of Cosmos 527 reported as 177 x 298 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.1 minutes period. |
| 1972 Nov 5 |
01:54 |
Orbit of Cosmos 527 reported as 178 x 294 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.3 minutes period. |
| 1972 Nov 5 |
16:48 |
Orbit of Cosmos 527 reported as 178 x 308 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.2 minutes period. |
| 1972 Nov 9 |
17:35 |
Orbit of Cosmos 527 reported as 179 x 299 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.4 minutes period. |
| 1972 Nov 10 |
06:59 |
Orbit of Cosmos 527 reported as 178 x 341 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.3 minutes period. |
| 1972 Nov 10 |
17:27 |
Orbit of Cosmos 527 reported as 179 x 342 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.7 minutes period. |
| 1972 Nov 13 |
07:12 |
Cosmos 527 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Nov 25 |
09:10 |
Cosmos 537 (Zenit-2M 11Ф690, Gektor) launched into 201 x 308 kilometre, 89.6 minutes period, 64.9 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Photo-reconnaissance satellite. |
| 1972 Dec 7 |
04:48 |
Cosmos 537 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Dec 14 |
13:40 |
Cosmos 538 (Zenit-4M, Rotor) launched into 204 x 283 kilometre, 89.4 minutes period, 65.4 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Upgraded Zenit-4 photo-reconnaissance satellite with orbit-adjustment engine. |
| 1972 Dec 19 |
13:52 |
Orbit of Cosmos 538 reported as 182 x 276 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.4 minutes period. |
| 1972 Dec 22 |
04:25 |
Orbit of Cosmos 538 reported as 183 x 305 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.1 minutes period. |
| 1972 Dec 23 |
16:10 |
Orbit of Cosmos 538 reported as 183 x 302 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.4 minutes period. |
| 1972 Dec 24 |
14:32 |
Orbit of Cosmos 538 reported as 186 x 328 kilometres, 65.4 deg inclination with 89.4 minutes period. |
| 1972 Dec 27 |
07:12 |
Cosmos 538 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1972 Dec 27 |
10:30 |
Cosmos 541 (Zenit-4MT, Orion) launched into 220 x 345 kilometre, 90.2 minutes period, 81.3 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Soyuz 11A511M rocket. Photographic imaging satellite for cartography. |
