cosmos_954
Cosmos 954 Debris
Cosmos 954 Debris
c. 1978
Art. no. 1988.1334.
Canada Science and Technology Museum
University of Ottawa, HIS4135
Trevor PIllon
Rebecca Rich
Simon Whitehouse
This is a piece of debris from the nuclear-powered Soviet satellite Cosmos 954. It was recovered by ground search just west of Baker Lake, in present day Nunavut. It is a non-radioactive, partially melted carbon-steel plate which formed the dome of the "stovepipe," a metal cylinder likely designed to contain the satellite's electronics equipment.
The material construction suggests the "quick and nasty" nature of Soviet space technology at the time. Lacking advanced materials which would allow for lighter, more efficient designs, Soviet engineers compensated with larger engines and, in this case, nuclear fuel.
Cosmos 954 Debris
Cosmos 954 Debris
c. 1978
Art. no. 1988.1334.
Canada Science and Technology Museum
University of Ottawa, HIS4135
Trevor PIllon
Rebecca Rich
Simon Whitehouse
This is a piece of debris from the nuclear-powered Soviet satellite Cosmos 954. It was recovered by ground search just west of Baker Lake, in present day Nunavut. It is a non-radioactive, partially melted carbon-steel plate which formed the dome of the "stovepipe," a metal cylinder likely designed to contain the satellite's electronics equipment.
The material construction suggests the "quick and nasty" nature of Soviet space technology at the time. Lacking advanced materials which would allow for lighter, more efficient designs, Soviet engineers compensated with larger engines and, in this case, nuclear fuel.