| Mission type | Optical imaging reconnaissance |
|---|---|
| Operator | OKB-1 |
| COSPAR ID | 1967-004A  |
| SATCAT no. | 02646 |
| Mission duration | 8 days |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Zenit-2 |
| Manufacturer | OKB-1 |
| Launch mass | 4730 kg[1] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 19 January 1967 12:39:59 GMT |
| Rocket | Vostok-2 s/n N15001-05 |
| Launch site | Plesetsk, Site 41/1 |
| Contractor | OKB-1 |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Recovered |
| Landing date | 27 January 1967 06:14 GMT |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric[2] |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee altitude | 191 km |
| Apogee altitude | 273 km |
| Inclination | 65.0° |
| Period | 89.2 minutes |
| Epoch | 19 January 1967 |
Kosmos 138 (Russian: Космос 138 meaning Cosmos 138) or Zenit-2 No.43 was a Soviet, first generation, low resolution, optical film-return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1967. A Zenit-2 spacecraft, Kosmos 138 was the forty-fifth of eighty-one such satellites to be launched[3][4] and had a mass of 4,730 kilograms (10,430 lb).
Kosmos 138 was launched by a Vostok-2 rocket, serial number N15001-05,[5] flying from Site 41/1 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 12:39:59 GMT on 19 January 1967,[6] and following its arrival in orbit the spacecraft received its Kosmos designation; along with the International Designator 1967-004A and the Satellite Catalog Number 02646.[1] The satellite reached a slightly lower orbit than had been planned, but was still able to complete its mission.[7]
Kosmos 138 was operated in a low Earth orbit, at an epoch of 19 January 1967, it had a perigee of 191 kilometres (119 mi), an apogee of 273 kilometres (170 mi), an inclination of 65.0°, and an orbital period of 89.2 minutes.[2] After 8 days in orbit, Kosmos 138 was deorbited, with its return capsule descending under parachute, landing at 06:14 GMT on 27 January 1967, and recovered by Soviet force.[7]
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