Names | Zenit 2-22 |
---|---|
Mission type | Optical imaging reconnaissance |
Operator | OKB-1 |
COSPAR ID | 1964-059A |
SATCAT no. | 885 |
Mission duration | 8 days |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft type | Zenit-2 |
Manufacturer | OKB-1 |
Launch mass | 4730 kg[1] |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 24 September 1964 12:00:00 GMT |
Rocket | Vostok-2 |
Launch site | Baikonur 31/6 |
Contractor | OKB-1 |
End of mission | |
Disposal | Recovered |
Landing date | 2 October 1964 |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric[2] |
Regime | Low Earth |
Perigee altitude | 211 km |
Apogee altitude | 264 km |
Inclination | 51.3° |
Period | 89.2 minutes |
Epoch | 24 September 1964 |
Zenit programme Zenit-2 |
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 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]