NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 1973-004A
Cosmos 545 was a military weather satellite launched as part of the Cosmos space research program. Its actual mission was to determine cloudcover conditions over selected areas. Cosmos 545 was one of a long series of spin-stabilized spacecraft that is believed to have originated concurrently with the Soviets first tests, in 1962, of recoverable reconnaissance satellites. To achieve greater spatial resolution, these Cosmos military weather satellites were launched into relatively low orbits. Consequently, the spacecraft had a fairly short lifetime (generally five to six months) and must be continually replaced. It appears that launches of this type are made most frequently in spring and summer, and taper off in the winter months. Other than this, little is known about the Cosmos military weather satellite.
Launch Date: 1973-01-24
Launch Vehicle: Kosmos-2I
Launch Site: Plesetsk, U.S.S.R
Mass: 400 kg
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office