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Kosmos 104

Kosmos 104

A Zenit reentry capsule
Names	Zenit 2-33
Mission type	Optical imaging reconnaissance
Operator	OKB-1
COSPAR ID	1966-001A
SATCAT no.	1903
Mission duration	8 days
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type	Zenit-2
Manufacturer	OKB-1
Launch mass	4730 kg[1]
Start of mission
Launch date	7 January 1966 08:24:00 GMT
Rocket	Vostok-2
Launch site	Baikonur 31/6
Contractor	OKB-1
End of mission
Disposal	Recovered
Landing date	15 January 1966
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric[2]
Regime	Low Earth
Perigee altitude	193 km
Apogee altitude	380 km
Inclination	65.0°
Period	90.2 minutes
Epoch	7 January 1966
Zenit programme Zenit-2 ← Zenit 2-32 Zenit 2-34 →   Kosmos (satellites) ← Kosmos 103 Kosmos 105 →

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[edit]

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