Mission type | Optical imaging reconnaissance |
---|---|
Operator | OKB-1 |
COSPAR ID | 1966-064A |
SATCAT no. | 02325 |
Mission duration | 8 days |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft type | Zenit-2 |
Manufacturer | OKB-1 |
Launch mass | 4730 kg[1] |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 14 July 1966, 10:33:00 GMT |
Rocket | Voskhod 11A57 s/n N15001-14 |
Launch site | Baikonur, Site 31/6 |
Contractor | OKB-1 |
End of mission | |
Disposal | Recovered |
Landing date | 22 July 1966, 09:22 GMT[2] |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric[3] |
Regime | Low Earth |
Perigee altitude | 205 km |
Apogee altitude | 286 km |
Inclination | 51.8° |
Period | 89.4 minutes |
Epoch | 16 July 1966 |
Kosmos 124 (Russian: Космос 124 meaning Cosmos 124) or Zenit-2 No.42 was a Soviet, first generation, low resolution, optical film-return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1966. A Zenit-2 spacecraft, Kosmos 124 was the fortieth of eighty-one such satellites to be launched[4][5] and had a mass of 4,730 kilograms (10,430 lb).[1]
Kosmos 124 was launched by a Voskhod 11A57 rocket with serial number N15001-14,[6] flying from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 10:33 GMT on 14 July 1966,[7] and following its successful arrival in orbit the spacecraft received its Kosmos designation; along with the International Designator 1966-064A and the Satellite Catalog Number 02325.
Kosmos 124 was operated in a low Earth orbit, at an epoch of 14 July 1966, it had a perigee of 205 kilometres (127 mi), an apogee of 286 kilometres (178 mi), an inclination of 51.8°, and an orbital period of 89.4 minutes. After eight days in orbit, Kosmos 124 was deorbited, with its return capsule descending under parachute, landing at 09:22 GMT on 22 July 1966, and recovered by Soviet force.[2]