| Kosmos 143 | |
| Mission Type: | Optical imaging reconnaissance |
| Operator: | OKB-1 |
| Cospar Id: | 1967-017A |
| Satcat: | 02693 |
| Mission Duration: | 8 days |
| Spacecraft Type: | Zenit-2 |
| Manufacturer: | OKB-1 |
| Launch Mass: | 1730 kg |
| Launch Date: | 27 February 1967 08:45:01 GMT |
| Launch Rocket: | Vostok-2 s/n U15001-03 |
| Launch Site: | Baikonur, Site 1/5 |
| Launch Contractor: | OKB-1 |
| Disposal Type: | Recovered |
| Landing Date: | 7 March 1967, 05:46 GMT |
| Landing Site: | Steppe of Kazakhstan |
| Orbit Epoch: | 27 February 1967 |
| Orbit Reference: | Geocentric |
| Orbit Regime: | Low Earth |
| Orbit Periapsis: | 204 km |
| Orbit Apoapsis: | 297 km |
| Orbit Inclination: | 65.0° |
| Orbit Period: | 89.5 minutes |
| Apsis: | gee |
Kosmos 143 (Russian: Космос 143 meaning Cosmos 143) or Zenit-2 No.45 was a Soviet, first generation, low resolution, optical film-return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1967. A Zenit-2 spacecraft, Kosmos 143 was the forty-sixth of eighty-one such satellites to be launched[1] [2] and had a mass of .[3]
Kosmos 143 was launched by a Vostok-2 rocket, serial number U15001-03,[4] flying from Site 1/5 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 08:45:01 GMT on 27 February 1967,[5] and following its arrival in orbit the spacecraft received its Kosmos designation; along with the International Designator 1967-017A and the Satellite Catalog Number 02693. A minor anomaly during launch resulted in the satellite's orbit being slightly lower than had been planned, with its orbital period being 22.8 seconds shorter than the target orbit.[3] Despite this the satellite performed its mission successfully. The satellite also carried a science package.[3]
Kosmos 143 was operated in a low Earth orbit, at an epoch of 27 February 1967, it had a perigee of, an apogee of, an inclination of 65.0°, and an orbital period of 89.5 minutes.[6] After eight days in orbit, Kosmos 143 was deorbited, with its return capsule descending under parachute, landing at 05:46 GMT on 7 March 1967, and recovered by Soviet force.[7]