Kosmos 46 (Russian: Космос 46 meaning Cosmos 46) or Zenit-2 No.22 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
A Zenit reentry capsule
NamesZenit 2-22
Mission typeOptical imaging reconnaissance
OperatorOKB-1
COSPAR ID1964-059A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.885
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
Launch siteBaikonur 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 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

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References

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  1. ^ https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1964-059A - 27 February 2020
  2. ^ https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=1964-059A - 27 February 2020
  3. ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Zenit-2 (11F61)". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 31 December 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  4. ^ Wade, Mark. "Vostok 8A92". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  5. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  6. ^ "Cosmos 46". National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  7. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 17 December 2013.