Kosmos 52 (Russian: Космос 52 meaning Cosmos 52) or Zenit-2 No.25 was a Soviet, first generation, low resolution, optical film-return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1965. A Zenit-2 spacecraft, Kosmos 52 was the twenty-fifth of eighty-one such satellites to be launched[3] and had a mass of 4,730 kilograms (10,430 lb).

Kosmos 52
A Zenit reentry capsule
NamesZenit 2-25
Mission typeOptical imaging reconnaissance
OperatorOKB-1
COSPAR ID1965-001A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.968
Mission duration8 days
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeZenit-2
ManufacturerOKB-1
Launch mass4730 kg[1]
Start of mission
Launch date11 January 1965
09:36:00 GMT
RocketVostok-2
Launch siteBaikonur 31/6
ContractorOKB-1
End of mission
DisposalRecovered
Landing date19 January 1965
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric[2]
RegimeLow Earth
Perigee altitude203 km
Apogee altitude298 km
Inclination65.0°
Period89.5 minutes
Epoch11 January 1965

Kosmos 52 was launched by a Vostok-2 rocket, serial number R15002-03,[4] flying from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 09:36 GMT on 11 January 1965,[5] with the spacecraft receiving its Kosmos designation - along with the International Designator 1965-001A and the Satellite Catalog Number 00968 - upon its successful insertion into orbit. It was the first satellite to be launched in the year 1965.

Kosmos 52 was operated in a low Earth orbit. On 11 January 1965 it had a perigee of 203 kilometres (126 mi), an apogee of 298 kilometres (185 mi), an inclination of 65.0° and an orbital period of 89.5 minutes.[6] On 19 January 1965, eight days after launch, Kosmos 52 was deorbited so that its return capsule could be recovered by Soviet forces and its photos developed and analysed.[7]

References

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  1. ^ https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1965-001A - 27 February 2020
  2. ^ https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=1965-001A - 27 February 2020
  3. ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Zenit-2 (11F61)". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 31 December 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  4. ^ Wade, Mark. "Vostok 8A92". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  5. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  6. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  7. ^ Wade, Mark. "Zenit-2". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 23 May 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2013.