Kosmos 136

Kosmos 136
Mission typeOptical imaging reconnaissance
OperatorOKB-1
COSPAR ID1966-115A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.02624
Mission duration8 days
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeZenit-2
ManufacturerOKB-1
Launch mass4730 kg[1]
Start of mission
Launch date19 December 1966
12:00:01 GMT
RocketVostok-2 s/n N15001-09
Launch sitePlesetsk, Site 41/1
ContractorOKB-1
End of mission
DisposalRecovered
Landing date27 December 1966
06:00 GMT[2]
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric[3]
RegimeLow Earth
Perigee altitude188 km
Apogee altitude280 km
Inclination64.6°
Period89.4 minutes
Epoch19 December 1966

Kosmos 136 (Russian: Космос 136 meaning Cosmos 136) or Zenit-2 No.47 was a Soviet, first generation, low resolution, optical film-return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1966. A Zenit-2 spacecraft, Kosmos 136 was the forty-fourth of eighty-one such satellites to be launched[4][5] and had a mass of 4,730 kilograms (10,430 lb). In addition to its reconnaissance mission, the satellite was also used for scientific research.

Kosmos 136 was launched by a Vostok-2 rocket, serial number N15001-09,[6] flying from Site 41/1 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 12:00:01 GMT on 19 December 1966,[7] and following its successful arrival in orbit the spacecraft received its Kosmos designation; along with the International Designator 1966-115A and the Satellite Catalog Number 02624.[1]

Kosmos 136 was operated in a low Earth orbit, at an epoch of 19 December 1966, it had a perigee of 188 kilometres (117 mi), an apogee of 280 kilometres (170 mi), an inclination of 64.6°, and an orbital period of 89.4 minutes.[3] After eight days in orbit, Kosmos 136 was deorbited, with its return capsule descending under parachute, landing at 06:00 GMT on 27 December 1966, and recovered by Soviet force.[2]

  1. ^ a b "Cosmos 136: Display 1966-115A". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. NASA. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b Christie, Robert. "Zenit Satellites - Zenit-2 variant". Zarya.info. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Cosmos 136: Trajectory 1966-115A". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. NASA. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  4. ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Zenit-2 (11F61)". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 31 December 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  5. ^ Wade, Mark. "Zenit-2". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 23 May 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  6. ^ Wade, Mark. "Vostok 8A92". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  7. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 5 January 2014.