Kosmos 46

Kosmos 46
Mission type Optical imaging
COSPAR ID 1964-059A
SATCAT № 885
Mission duration 8 days[1]
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type Zenit-2
Manufacturer OKB-1
Launch mass 4,730.0 kilograms (10,427.9 lb)[1]
Start of mission
Launch date 24 September 1964, 12:00 UTC[2]
Rocket Vostok-2
Launch site Baikonur 31/6
End of mission
Disposal Recovered
Landing date 2 October 1964
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Low Earth
Perigee 210 kilometres (130 mi)
Apogee 261 kilometres (162 mi)
Inclination 51.2 degrees
Period 89.21 minutes
Epoch 29 September 1964[3]

Kosmos 46 (Russian: Космос 46 meaning Cosmos 46) or Zenit-2 No.23 was a Soviet 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[4][5] and had a mass of 4,730.0 kilograms (10,427.9 lb).[1]

Kosmos 46 was launched by a Vostok-2 rocket, serial number R15001-05,[6] flying from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 12:00 UTC on 24 September 1964,[2] 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 885.[1]

Kosmos 46 was operated in a low Earth orbit; at an epoch of 29 September 1964 it had a perigee of 210 kilometres (130 mi), an apogee of 261 kilometres (162 mi) inclination of 51.2 degrees and an orbital period of 89.21 minutes. On 2 October 1964, after eight days in orbit, the satellite was deorbited with its return capsule descending by parachute for recovery.[3][5]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Cosmos 46". National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  4. ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "Zenit-2 (11F61)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Wade, Mark. "Zenit-2". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  6. ↑ Wade, Mark. "Vostok 8A92". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 13 December 2013.