RORSAT radar ocean reconnaissance satellites and program incidents (1967–1988)

1. First US-A prototype, Kosmos 198, launched

   Dec 27, 1967Labels: Kosmos 198, US-A prototype

   • Sven Grahn
   • Astronautix

2. First BES-5 reactor flight on Kosmos 367

   Oct 3, 1970Labels: Kosmos 367, BES-5 reactor

   • Sven Grahn
   • US A

3. Launch failure drops reactor into Pacific Ocean

   Apr 25, 1973Labels: launch failure, Pacific Ocean

   • US A

4. US-A system accepted for military service

   Jan 1, 1975Labels: US-A system, Soviet military

   • Sven Grahn

5. Kosmos 954 launched for operational RORSAT mission

   Sep 18, 1977Labels: Kosmos 954, RORSAT operational

   • RussiaSpaceWeb
   • Kosmos 954

6. Kosmos 954 reenters over Canada, radioactive debris spreads

   Jan 24, 1978Labels: Kosmos 954, reentry accident

   • Health Canada
   • Kosmos 954

7. Operation Morning Light searches for Kosmos 954 debris

   Oct 1, 1978Labels: Operation Morning, Canada-US

   • Health Canada

8. UN begins formal study of nuclear-powered satellites

   Nov 1, 1978Labels: United Nations, nuclear study

   • Health Canada

9. Kosmos 1402 breaks up during uncontrolled reentry

   Jan 23, 1983Labels: Kosmos 1402, malfunction

   • Kosmos 1402
   • Washington Post

10. Kosmos 1402 reactor core reenters over the ocean

    Feb 7, 1983Labels: Kosmos 1402, ocean impact

    • Kosmos 1402
    • US A

11. Last US-A (RORSAT) satellite, Kosmos 1932, launched

    Mar 14, 1988Labels: Kosmos 1932, last US-A

    • RussiaSpaceWeb
    • US A

12. Kosmos 1932 deorbited, closing the US-A chapter

    May 19, 1988Labels: Kosmos 1932, program closure

    • RussiaSpaceWeb