Kosmos 305
A Ye-8-5 model in the Museum of Cosmonautics, Moscow. | |
| Operator | Soviet space program |
|---|---|
| COSPAR ID | 1969-092A |
| SATCAT no. | 4150 |
| Mission duration | 2 days |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Ye-8-5 |
| Manufacturer | GSMZ Lavochkin |
| Launch mass | 5,600 kg (12,300 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | October 22, 1969, 14:09:00 UTC |
| Rocket | Proton-K/D |
| Launch site | Baikonur 81/24 |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Launch failure |
| Decay date | October 24, 1969 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Perigee altitude | 182 km (113 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 208 km (129 mi) |
| Inclination | 51.4° |
| Period | 88.4 min |
Kosmos 305 (Russian: Космос 305 meaning Cosmos 305) (Ye-8-5 series) was the fifth Soviet attempt at an uncrewed lunar sample return. It was probably similar in design to the Luna 16 spacecraft. It was launched, on a Proton rocket, on October 22, 1969. The engines on the Block D upper stage failed, terminating the mission. This left the spacecraft stranded in Earth orbit. It re-entered within two days.