Kosmos 104 Explained

Kosmos 104
Names List:Zenit 2-33
Mission Type:Optical imaging reconnaissance
Operator:OKB-1
Cospar Id:1966-001A
Satcat:1903
Spacecraft Type:Zenit-2
Manufacturer:OKB-1
Launch Mass:4730 kg[1]
Launch Date:7 January 1966
08:24:00 GMT
Launch Rocket:Vostok-2
Launch Site:Baikonur 31/6
Launch Contractor:OKB-1
Disposal Type:Recovered
Landing Date:15 January 1966
Orbit Epoch:7 January 1966
Orbit Reference:Geocentric[2]
Orbit Regime:Low Earth
Orbit Periapsis:193 km
Orbit Apoapsis:380 km
Orbit Inclination:65.0°
Orbit Period:90.2 minutes
Apsis:gee
Programme:Zenit programme
Zenit-2
Previous Mission:Zenit 2-32
Next Mission:Zenit 2-34
Programme2:Kosmos (satellites)
Previous Mission2:Kosmos 103
Next Mission2:Kosmos 105

Kosmos 104 (Russian: 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 4730kg (10,430lb).

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 193km (120miles), an apogee of 380km (240miles) 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]

Notes and References

  1. https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1966-001A - 27 February 2020
  2. https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=1966-001A - 27 February 2020
  3. Web site: Zenit-2 (11F61). Gunter. Krebs. Gunter's Space Page. 2 January 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20111231133235/http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/zenit-2.htm. 31 December 2011. dead.
  4. Encyclopedia: Vostok 8A92. Mark. Wade. Encyclopedia Astronautica . 2 January 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160822074413/http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/vosk8a92.htm. 22 August 2016. dmy-all.
  5. Web site: Launch Log. Jonathan. McDowell. Jonathan McDowell. Jonathan's Space Page. 2 January 2014.
  6. https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1966-001A - 27 February 2020
  7. Web site: Cosmos 104 . National Space Science Data Center. 2 January 2014.
  8. Web site: Satellite Catalog. Jonathan. McDowell. Jonathan's Space Page. 2 January 2014.
  9. Encyclopedia: Zenit-2 . Mark. Wade. Encyclopedia Astronautica. 2 January 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120523064141/http://www.astronautix.com/craft/zenit2.htm. 23 May 2012. dmy-all.