| Mission type | Optical imaging reconnaissance |
|---|---|
| Operator | OKB-1 |
| COSPAR ID | 1967-017A |
| SATCAT no. | 02693 |
| Mission duration | 8 days |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Zenit-2 |
| Manufacturer | OKB-1 |
| Launch mass | 1730 kg[1] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 27 February 1967 08:45:01 GMT |
| Rocket | Vostok-2 s/n U15001-03 |
| Launch site | Baikonur, Site 1/5 |
| Contractor | OKB-1 |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Recovered |
| Landing date | 7 March 1967, 05:46 GMT |
| Landing site | Steppe du Kazakhstan |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric[2] |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee altitude | 204 km |
| Apogee altitude | 297 km |
| Inclination | 65.0° |
| Period | 89.5 minutes |
| Epoch | 27 February 1967 |
Kosmos 143 (Russian: Космос 143 meaning Cosmos 143) or Zenit-2 No.45 was a Soviet, first generation, low resolution, optical film-return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1967. A Zenit-2 spacecraft, Kosmos 143 was the forty-sixth of eighty-one such satellites to be launched[3][4] and had a mass of 1,730 kilograms (3,810 lb).[1]
Kosmos 143 was launched by a Vostok-2 rocket, serial number U15001-03,[5] flying from Site 1/5 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 08:45:01 GMT on 27 February 1967,[6] and following its arrival in orbit the spacecraft received its Kosmos designation; along with the International Designator 1967-017A and the Satellite Catalog Number 02693. A minor anomaly during launch resulted in the satellite's orbit being slightly lower than had been planned, with its orbital period being 22.8 seconds shorter than the target orbit.[1] Despite this the satellite performed its mission successfully. The satellite also carried a science package.[1]
Kosmos 143 was operated in a low Earth orbit, at an epoch of 27 February 1967, it had a perigee of 204 kilometres (127 mi), an apogee of 297 kilometres (185 mi), an inclination of 65.0°, and an orbital period of 89.5 minutes.[2] After eight days in orbit, Kosmos 143 was deorbited, with its return capsule descending under parachute, landing at 05:46 GMT on 7 March 1967, and recovered by Soviet force.[7]
