Engineering:Kosmos 46

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Short description: Soviet satellite
Kosmos 46
Mission typeOptical imaging reconnaissance
OperatorOKB-1
COSPAR ID1964-059A
SATCAT no.00885
Mission duration8 days
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeZenit-2
ManufacturerOKB-1
Launch mass4730 kg[1]
Start of mission
Launch date24 September 1964
12:00:00 GMT
RocketVostok-2 s/n R15001-05
Launch siteBaikonur, Site 31/6
ContractorOKB-1
End of mission
DisposalRecovered
Landing date2 October 1964
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric[2]
RegimeLow Earth
Perigee altitude211 km
Apogee altitude264 km
Inclination51.3°
Period89.2 minutes
Epoch24 September 1964
 

Kosmos 46 (Russian: Космос 46 meaning Cosmos 46) or Zenit-2 No.23 was a Soviet, first generation, low resolution, optical film-return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1964. A Zenit-2 spacecraft, Kosmos 46 was the twenty-second of eighty one such satellites to be launched[3] and had a mass of 4,730 kilograms (10,430 lb).

Kosmos 46 was launched by a Vostok-2 rocket, serial number R15001-05,[4] flying from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 12:00 GMT on 24 September 1964,[5] and following its successful arrival in orbit the spacecraft received its Kosmos designation; along with the International Designator 1964-059A and the Satellite Catalog Number 00885.[6]

Kosmos 46 was operated in a low Earth orbit, on 24 September 1964, it had a perigee of 211 kilometres (131 mi), an apogee of 264 kilometres (164 mi), inclination of 51.3° and an orbital period of 89.2 minutes. On 2 October 1964, after eight days in orbit, the satellite was deorbited with its return capsule descending by parachute for recovery by Soviet forces.[7]

See also

  • 1964 in spaceflight

References