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Kosmos 117

Optical imaging reconnaissance

OKB-1

1966-037A

02163

8 days

Zenit-2

OKB-1

4730 kg^[1]

6 May 1966, 11:02:00 GMT^[2]

Vostok-2 s/n N15001-01

Baikonur, Site 31/6

OKB-1

Recovered

14 May 1966, 08:24 GMT^[3]

Geocentric^[2]

Low Earth

205 km

298 km

65.0°

89.5 minutes

6 May 1966

Kosmos 117 (Russian: Космос 117 meaning Cosmos 117) or Zenit-2 No.39 was a Soviet optical film-return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1966. A Zenit-2 spacecraft, Kosmos 117 was the thirty-eighth of eighty-one such satellites to be launched^[4][5] and had a mass of 4,730 kilograms (10,430 lb).

Kosmos 117 was launched by a Vostok-2 rocket, serial number N15001-01,^[6] flying from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 11:02 GMT on 6 May 1966, and following its successful arrival in orbit the spacecraft received its Kosmos designation; along with the International Designator 1966-037A and the Satellite Catalog Number 02163.^[1]

Kosmos 117 was operated in a low Earth orbit, at an epoch of 6 May 1966, it had a perigee of 205 kilometres (127 mi), an apogee of 298 kilometres (185 mi), an inclination of 65.0°, and an orbital period of 89.5 minutes.^[2] After eight days in orbit, Kosmos 117 was deorbited, with its return capsule descending under parachute and landing at 08:24 GMT on 14 May 1966 and recovered by Soviet force.^[3]

References[edit]

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