Kosmos 104

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 (1966-01-07UTC08:24Z) UTC[2]
Rocket Vostok-2
Launch site Baikonur 31/6
End of mission
Disposal Recovered
Landing date 15 January 1966, 06:00 (1966-01-15UTC07Z) 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 an 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. 1 2 3 4 "Cosmos 104". National Space Science Data Center. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  2. 1 2 McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  3. 1 2 McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  4. ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "Zenit-2 (11F61)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  5. 1 2 Wade, Mark. "Zenit-2". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  6. ↑ Wade, Mark. "Vostok 8A92". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
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