# Cosmos 210
**Wikidata**: [Q12688160](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12688160)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-210

## Summary
Cosmos 210 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched in 1968 as part of the Zenit-2 class, designed for photographic intelligence gathering. It was deployed using a Voskhod rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, marking another mission in the Soviet Union's Cold War-era space surveillance efforts.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: April 3, 1968, at 11:00:00 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Voskhod rocket (Soviet launch vehicle).
- **Spacecraft Class**: Zenit-2, a series of Soviet crewed spacecraft repurposed for reconnaissance.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1968-024A.
- **SCN**: 03168.
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41.
- **Mission Type**: Photographic reconnaissance for military intelligence.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 210?
A: Cosmos 210 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite designed to gather photographic intelligence, part of the Zenit-2 program for military surveillance during the Cold War.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 210 launched?
A: It launched on April 3, 1968, at 11:00:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41 in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 210?
A: The satellite was deployed using a Voskhod launch vehicle, a Soviet rocket derived from the R-7 family.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 210 represents a key component of the Soviet Union's reconnaissance efforts during the Cold War. As part of the Zenit-2 series, it exemplified the dual-use nature of Soviet space technology, repurposing crewed spacecraft designs for unmanned military missions. Its launch from Plesetsk Cosmodrome underscored the strategic importance of this facility for covert satellite operations. While individual Zenit missions like Cosmos 210 were not publicly detailed, their cumulative role in global surveillance highlighted the critical intersection of space exploration and military intelligence during this era.

## Notable For
- **Zenit-2 Class Membership**: Part of the first generation of Soviet reconnaissance satellites, emphasizing the USSR's early investment in space-based espionage.
- **Voskhod Rocket Deployment**: Utilized a launch vehicle originally designed for crewed missions, demonstrating Soviet adaptability in rocket technology.
- **Plesetsk Launch Site**: Launched from a facility primarily used for military and classified missions, reflecting its strategic significance.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date/Time**: April 3, 1968, at 11:00:00 UTC.
- **Location**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41, a remote launch facility in northwestern Russia.
- **Vehicle**: Voskhod rocket (a modified R-7 variant), serial number unknown.

### Spacecraft Class
- **Zenit-2**: A dual-purpose spacecraft derived from the Voskhod crewed capsule, repurposed for unmanned reconnaissance. Equipped with photographic film capsules returned to Earth via parachute.
- **Mission Duration**: Typical Zenit-2 missions lasted approximately 8–14 days, though specific duration for Cosmos 210 is not provided in sources.

### Mission Context
- **Reconnaissance Role**: Conducted photographic surveillance of strategic targets, contributing to Soviet military intelligence during the Cold War.
- **COSPAR Designation**: 1968-024A, indicating it was the 24th satellite launched globally in 1968.
- **Tracking Data**: Assigned Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 03168 for orbital tracking purposes.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report