The Vehicle Analysis Branch began investigation of the Soviet BOR-4. Small models were tested in NASA wind tunnels and demonstrated that the vehicle had good aerodynamic characteristics throughout the speed range from orbital entry interface to low supersonic speeds. The Soviet design had a 2,040 km cross-range capability and an outstandingly benign thermal profile at peak heating conditions. Therefore Langley adopted it as a baseline for a Crew Emergency Rescue Vehicle to back-up or replace the shuttle after the 1986 Challenger accident.

Military navigation satellite. Replaced Cosmos 1333. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Eight satellites launched by a single carrier rocket. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Carried Romb radar calibration subsatellites.

All-sky survey of astronomical IR bodies. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Photo surveillance; returned film capsule; maneuverable. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .

Business communications. Launch time 0837 GMT. Launching organization NASDA (National Space Development Agency of Japan). N launch vehicle No. 10(F) (N-II launch vehicle). Osaki launch site, NASDA Tanegashima Space Center, Kagoshima, Japan. Geostationary position 132 deg E. Estab lishment of domestic satellite telecommunications network mainly for natural disaster, emergency and for remote islands using submillimetre wavelength and microwavelength signals. Development of the technology of communications satellite. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Area survey photo reconnaissance; film capsule; also performed earth resources tasks. Returned in less than usual 30 day full duration. References: 1 , 2 , 6 , 69 .

Ocean surveillance; aka White Cloud type spacecraft; Navy Ocean Surveillance Satellite; PARCAE. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 172 , 278 .

Released from NOSS 4. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 278 .

Released from NOSS 4. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 278 .

Released from NOSS 4. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 278 .

Released from NOSS 4. References: 2 , 5 , 6 , 278 .

3rd generation, high resolution photo surveillance; film capsule; maneuverable; also performed earth resources tasks. Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .

X-ray experiments. Astro-B (Tenma). Launch 0510 GMT. Launching organization: ISAS (Institute of Space and Astronautical Science). X-ray observation of X-ray stars in our galaxy as well as X-ray galaxies using a scintillating proportional counter, a transient X-ray source mo nitor, an X-ray foucsing collector, a radiation belt monitor, a gamma ray burst detector and a star sensor. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

High resolution photo reconnaissance; returned film in two small SpK capsules during the mission and with the main capsule at completion of the mission. References: 1 , 2 , 6 , 69 .

TKS manned ferry spacecraft from the cancelled Almaz OPS-4 mission. Flown unmanned to the Salyut 7 space station. Docked with Salyut 7 on 4 March 1983. Separated from Salyut 7 on 14 August. The VA re-entry capsule separated and the space station deorbited itself on September 19, 1983 at 0:28 GMT. The VA capsule continued in space for four more days, demonstrating autonomous flight, before successfully re-entering on 23 August 1983. Returned 350 kg of material from the station. Additional Details: Cosmos 1443. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 67 , 274 , 439 .

Photo surveillance; returned film capsule. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .

Replaced Molniya 3-17. Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio communications system in the USSR; transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to stations in the Orbita network and within the framework of international cooperation. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Transmission of Central Television programmes to a network of receivers for collective use. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 67 , 274 .

Subscale Spiral spaceplane. After 1.25 revolutions of the earth, deorbited and recovered by Soviet naval forces in the Indian Ocean, 556 km south of the Cocos Islands . References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Photo surveillance; returned film capsule; maneuverable. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .

Replaced Molniya 1-50. Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio communications system in the USSR; transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to stations in the Orbita network. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Astrophysics. Electrophysical research of galactic and extragalactic sources of ultraviolet ray and X-ray emission. The scientific apparatus was built jointly by scientists and specialists from the USSR and France. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 67 , 274 .

Carried COSPAS transponder; replaced Cosmos 1226. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space; testing of systems for locating the position of ships and aircraft in difficulties (COSPAS-SARSAT system). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Carried search and rescue package. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 278 .

Military navigation satellite. Replaced Cosmos 1344. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Photo surveillance; returned film capsule. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .