re: I think they had trouble with separation on the test flight
I know the whole point was to have a Russian missile and sub do the launch, but I never had a good feeling about the launch method.
Space exploration by its very nature at this time and place in history cannot be too cheap. Mars Polar Lander is a case in point.
I am having bad memories of Mars 96 as well, which didn't even get out of Earth orbit due to a faulty rocket.
But please Cosmos 1, prove me wrong!