# Cosmos 172
**Wikidata**: [Q12602014](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12602014)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-172

## Summary
Cosmos 172 was a Soviet satellite launched on August 9, 1967, under the Kosmos program. Designated as a Zenit-4 spacecraft, it functioned as a reconnaissance satellite. It was deployed into orbit using a Voskhod launch vehicle from the Gagarin's Start launch site.

## Key Facts
*   **Entity Name:** Cosmos 172 (Alias: Kosmos 172)
*   **Classification:** Zenit-4 (Soviet reconnaissance satellite)
*   **Launch Date:** August 9, 1967
*   **Launch Time:** 05:45:18
*   **Launch Site:** Gagarin's Start
*   **Launch Vehicle:** Voskhod
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1967-078A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 02914
*   **Significant Event:** Rocket launch

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 172?
A: Cosmos 172 was a Zenit-4 class satellite, which is a type of Soviet reconnaissance satellite used for observation and intelligence gathering.

### Q: When and how was Cosmos 172 launched?
A: It was launched on August 9, 1967, at 05:45:18, using a Voskhod launch vehicle from the Gagarin's Start launch complex.

### Q: What are the international identifiers for Cosmos 172?
A: The satellite is identified by the COSPAR ID 1967-078A and the Satellite Catalog Number 02914.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 172 represents a specific mission within the extensive Soviet Kosmos program, which served to obscure the true nature of military reconnaissance flights by assigning them generic "Kosmos" designations. As an instance of the Zenit-4 class, this entity highlights the operational capabilities of Soviet space-based surveillance during the Cold War era. The mission demonstrates the utility of the Voskhod launch vehicle, a platform derived from technology used for Russian crewed spacecraft, repurposed for deploying critical military assets. Furthermore, its launch from Gagarin's Start—a site historically significant for hosting the first human spaceflight—underscores the continued strategic importance of this location for state missions. By documenting entities like Cosmos 172 with precise identifiers such as COSPAR ID 1967-078A, researchers can accurately track the history and cadence of early space reconnaissance operations.

## Notable For
*   **Reconnaissance Classification:** Identified specifically as a Zenit-4 satellite, a class dedicated to Soviet intelligence gathering.
*   **Launch Location:** Utilized "Gagarin's Start," the historic launch pad used for Vostok 1.
*   **Dual-Use Hardware:** Deployed via the Voskhod launch vehicle, which was also associated with the series of Soviet crewed spacecraft.
*   **Precise Tracking:** Distinctly identified by Satellite Catalog Number 02914 and Wolfram Language entity code.

## Body

### Mission Profile
Cosmos 172 was launched as part of the Soviet Union's Kosmos program. The mission occurred on **August 9, 1967**, with a precise launch time recorded at **05:45:18**. The primary objective involved the deployment of a **Zenit-4** spacecraft, a class explicitly categorized under Soviet reconnaissance satellites.

### Launch Specifications
The launch operation originated from **Gagarin's Start**. This site is a major launch complex historically associated with both crewed and uncrewed Soviet missions. The lift was achieved using a **Voskhod** launch vehicle. The Voskhod system is noted in related records as both a Russian launch vehicle and a series of Soviet crewed spacecraft, indicating the technological lineage used to propel Cosmos 172.

### Identification and Data
The spacecraft is cataloged in international and scientific databases with specific identifiers to distinguish it from other missions.
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1967-078A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number:** 02914
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** `Entity["Satellite", "02914"]`

The entry maintains aliases including "Kosmos 172" and has sitelinks across Wikipedia languages including Hungarian (hu), Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr).

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report