Kosmos 129 (Russian: Космос 129 meaning Cosmos 129) 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 129 was the forty-second of eighty-one such satellites to be launched[3][4] and had a mass of 4,730 kilograms (10,430 lb).[1]

Kosmos 129
Mission typeOptical imaging recpnnaissance
OperatorOKB-1
COSPAR ID1966-091A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.02491
Mission duration7 days
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeZenit-2
ManufacturerOKB-1
Launch mass4730 kg[1]
Start of mission
Launch date14 October 1966
12:14:00 GMT[2]
RocketVostok-2 s/n U1500-05
Launch sitePlesetsk, Site 41/1
ContractorOKB-1
End of mission
DisposalRecovered
Landing date21 October 1966, 06:14 GMT
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric[2]
RegimeLow Earth
Perigee altitude180 km
Apogee altitude312 km
Inclination65.0°
Period89.4 minutes
Epoch14 October 1966

Kosmos 129 was launched by a Vostok-2 rocket, serial number U1500-05,[5] flying from Site 41/1 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 12:14 GMT on 14 October 1966, and following its successful arrival in orbit the spacecraft received its Kosmos designation; along with the International Designator 1966-091A and the Satellite Catalog Number 02491.[1]

Kosmos 129 was operated in a low Earth orbit, at an epoch of 14 October 1966, it had a perigee of 180 kilometres (110 mi), an apogee of 312 kilometres (194 mi), an inclination of 65.0°, and an orbital period of 89.4 minutes.[2] After seven days in orbit, Kosmos 129 was deorbited, with its return capsule descending under parachute, landing at 06:14 GMT on 21 October 1966, and recovered by Soviet force.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Cosmos 129: Display 1966-091A". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. NASA. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b c "Cosmos 129: Trajectory 1966-091A". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. NASA. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  3. ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Zenit-2 (11F61)". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 31 December 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  4. ^ Wade, Mark. "Zenit-2". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 23 May 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  5. ^ Wade, Mark. "Vostok 8A92". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  6. ^ Christy, Robert. "Zenit Satellites - Zenit-2 variant". Zarya.info. Retrieved 4 January 2014.