Kosmos 104 (Космос 104 meaning Cosmos 104) or Zenit-2 No.33 was a Soviet first-generation low-resolution optical film–return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1966. A Zenit-2 spacecraft, Kosmos 104 was the thirty-second of eighty-one such satellites to be launched[3] and had a mass of 4,730 kilograms (10,430 lb).
![]() A Zenit reentry capsule | |
Names | Zenit 2-33 |
---|---|
Mission type | Optical imaging reconnaissance |
Operator | OKB-1 |
COSPAR ID | 1966-001A |
SATCAT no. | 1903 |
Mission duration | 8 days |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft type | Zenit-2 |
Manufacturer | OKB-1 |
Launch mass | 4730 kg[1] |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 7 January 1966 08:24:00 GMT |
Rocket | Vostok-2 |
Launch site | Baikonur 31/6 |
Contractor | OKB-1 |
End of mission | |
Disposal | Recovered |
Landing date | 15 January 1966 |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric[2] |
Regime | Low Earth |
Perigee altitude | 193 km |
Apogee altitude | 380 km |
Inclination | 65.0° |
Period | 90.2 minutes |
Epoch | 7 January 1966 |
Zenit programme Zenit-2 |
Kosmos 104 was launched by a Vostok-2 rocket[4] from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 08:24 GMT on 7 January 1966;[5] however, the program was not completely met. The spacecraft was put into an incorrect orbit by malfunctions in the booster rocket's second and third stages.[6] The spacecraft received a Kosmos designation, along with the International Designator 1966-001A and the Satellite Catalog Number 01903.[7]
Despite the problem during its launch, Kosmos 104 was able to complete most of its imaging mission. Its orbit, at an epoch of 7 January 1966, had a perigee of 193 kilometres (120 mi), an apogee of 380 kilometres (240 mi) inclination of 65.0° and a period of 90.2 minutes.[8] On 15 January 1966, after eight days in orbit, the satellite was deorbited with its return capsule descending by parachute for a successful recovery by Soviet force.[9]
References
edit- ^ https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1966-001A - 27 February 2020
- ^ https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=1966-001A - 27 February 2020
- ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Zenit-2 (11F61)". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 31 December 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ Wade, Mark. "Vostok 8A92". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1966-001A - 27 February 2020
- ^ "Cosmos 104". National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ Wade, Mark. "Zenit-2". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 23 May 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2014.