| Kosmos 221 | |
| Mission Type: | ABM radar target |
| Cospar Id: | 1968-043A |
| Satcat: | 03269 |
| Mission Duration: | 464 days |
| Spacecraft Type: | DS-P1-Yu |
| Manufacturer: | Yuzhnoye |
| Launch Mass: | 400 kg |
| Launch Date: | 24 May 1968, 07:04:50 GMT |
| Launch Rocket: | Kosmos-2I 63SM |
| Launch Site: | Kapustin Yar, Site 86/4 |
| Launch Contractor: | Yuzhnoye |
| Decay Date: | 31 August 1969 |
| Orbit Epoch: | 24 May 1968 |
| Orbit Reference: | Geocentric |
| Orbit Regime: | Low Earth |
| Orbit Periapsis: | 218 km |
| Orbit Apoapsis: | 2086 km |
| Orbit Inclination: | 48.4° |
| Orbit Period: | 108.3 minutes |
| Apsis: | gee |
Kosmos 221 (Russian: Космос 221 meaning Cosmos 221), also known as DS-P1-Yu No.14, was a Soviet satellite which was used as a radar calibration target for tests of anti-ballistic missiles. It was built by the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau, and launched in 1968 as part of the Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik programme.[1] It had a mass of 400kg (900lb).
Kosmos 221 was launched from Site 86/4 at Kapustin Yar,[2] atop a Kosmos-2I 63SM carrier rocket. The launch occurred on 24 May 1968 at 07:04:50 GMT, and resulted in Kosmos 221's successful deployment into low Earth orbit.[3] Upon reaching orbit, it was assigned its Kosmos designation, and received the International Designator 1968-043A.
Kosmos 221 was operated in an orbit with a perigee of 218km (135miles), an apogee of 2086km (1,296miles), an inclination of 48.4°, and an orbital period of 108.3 minutes.[1] It remained in orbit until it decayed and reentered the atmosphere on 31 August 1969.[4] It was the thirteenth of seventy nine DS-P1-Yu satellites to be launched,[1] and the twelfth of seventy two to successfully reach orbit.[5]