Launch and Orbital Techniques of Multiple Kosmos Payloads

Development launches and characteristics of the operational Cosmos program, which nominally places up to eight satellites into orbit on one launch, are reviewed. The multiple launch techniques were developed from 1964-1965, beginning with two spacecraft, then five, then, after a 4-1/2 yr hiatus, octet launches with the Cosmos satellites. It is noted that some of the regularly spaced orbits, which are very close, that the multiple satellites have been launched into share characteristics of spacecraft which have exploded in orbit. Deployment is considered to have been accomplished by either equipping each satellite with a separate motor or releasing each satellite separately during the orbital stage's circularization burn. The satellites are described as weighing 40 kg and being 0.8 x 1.0 m in size and intended for military C3 applications, particularly naval communications.