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Kosmos 104

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Kosmos 104
A Zenit reentry capsule
NamesZenit 2-33
Mission typeOptical imaging reconnaissance
OperatorOKB-1
COSPAR ID1966-001A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.1903
Mission duration8 days
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeZenit-2
ManufacturerOKB-1
Launch mass4730 kg[1]
Start of mission
Launch date7 January 1966
08:24:00 GMT
RocketVostok-2
Launch siteBaikonur 31/6
ContractorOKB-1
End of mission
DisposalRecovered
Landing date15 January 1966
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric[2]
RegimeLow Earth
Perigee altitude193 km
Apogee altitude380 km
Inclination65.0°
Period90.2 minutes
Epoch7 January 1966

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).

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

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  1. ^ https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1966-001A - 27 February 2020
  2. ^ https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=1966-001A - 27 February 2020
  3. ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Zenit-2 (11F61)". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 31 December 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  4. ^ Wade, Mark. "Vostok 8A92". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  5. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  6. ^ https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1966-001A - 27 February 2020
  7. ^ "Cosmos 104". National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  8. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  9. ^ Wade, Mark. "Zenit-2". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 23 May 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2014.