Kosmos 104
| Mission type | Optical imaging |
|---|---|
| COSPAR ID | 1966-001A |
| SATCAT № | 1903 |
| Mission duration | 8 days[1] |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Zenit-2 |
| Manufacturer | OKB-1 |
| Launch mass | 4,730.0 kilograms (10,427.9 lb)[1] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 7 January 1966, 08:24 UTC[2] |
| Rocket | Vostok-2 |
| Launch site | Baikonur 31/6 |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Recovered |
| Landing date | 15 January 1966, 06:00 UTC |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee | 193 kilometres (120 mi) |
| Apogee | 380 kilometres (240 mi) |
| Inclination | 65 degrees |
| Period | 90.24 minutes |
| Epoch | 8 January 1966[3] |
Kosmos 104 (Russian: Космос 104 meaning Cosmos 104) or Zenit-2 No.36 was a Soviet 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[4][5] and had a mass of 4,730.0 kilograms (10,427.9 lb).[1]
Kosmos 104 was launched by a Vostok-2 rocket[6] flying from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 08:24 UTC on 7 January 1966;[2] however, the carrier rocket malfunctioned, placing the spacecraft into the wrong orbit. The spacecraft received a Kosmos designation, along with the International Designator 1966-001A and the Satellite Catalog Number 1903.[1]
Despite the problem during its launch, Kosmos 104 was able to complete most of its imaging mission. Its orbit, at an epoch of 8 January 1966, had a perigee of 193 kilometres (120 mi), an apogee of 380 kilometres (240 mi) inclination of 65 degrees and a period of 90.24 minutes.[3] On 15 January 1966, after eight days in orbit, the satellite was deorbited with its return capsule descending by parachute for a successful recovery.[5]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Cosmos 104". National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- 1 2 McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- 1 2 McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "Zenit-2 (11F61)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- 1 2 Wade, Mark. "Zenit-2". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ↑ Wade, Mark. "Vostok 8A92". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2 January 2014.