Cosmos 186

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First automatic docking in space. Soviet Union stamp, 1968.
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First automatic docking in space. Soviet Union stamp, 1968.

Cosmos 186 incorporated a Soyuz programme descent module for landing scientific instruments and test objects. Automatic mating of Soyuz test spacecraft in orbit was accomplished on October 30, 1967, by Cosmos 186 and Cosmos 188. Mutual search, approach, mooring, and docking were automatically performed for the first time in the history of space exploration. After 3.5 h of joint flight, the satellites parted on a command sent from the earth and continued to orbit separately. On October 31, 1967, Cosmos 186 made a soft landing in a predetermined region of the USSR.

[edit] Mission parameters

  • Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-OK
  • Mass: 6,530 kg
  • Crew: None
  • Launched: October 27, 1967 09:30:00 UTC
  • Landed: October 31, 1967 08:20 UTC
  • Perigee: 172 km
  • Apogee: 212 km
  • Inclination: 51.7°
  • Period: 88.7 minutes
  • NSSDC ID: 1967-105A

[edit] Reference

Text comes from NASA NSSDC Master Catalog

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