# Cosmos 223
**Wikidata**: [Q12688523](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12688523)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-223

## Summary
Cosmos 223 is a Soviet satellite launched on June 1, 1968, using a Voskhod rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It was part of the Zenit-2 class of satellites, which were likely used for military or reconnaissance purposes. The satellite's COSPAR ID is 1968-045A, and it was assigned the SCN number 03274.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: June 1, 1968
- **Launch Vehicle**: Voskhod rocket
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41
- **Class**: Zenit-2
- **COSPAR ID**: 1968-045A
- **SCN Number**: 03274
- **Country of Origin**: Soviet Union
- **Significant Event**: Rocket launch at 10:50:00 UTC on June 1, 1968

## FAQs
### Q: What was Cosmos 223 used for?
A: Cosmos 223 was part of the Zenit-2 class of satellites, which were likely used for military or reconnaissance purposes, as was common with Soviet satellite programs of the era.

### Q: Who launched Cosmos 223?
A: Cosmos 223 was launched by the Soviet Union using a Voskhod rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41 on June 1, 1968.

### Q: What is the COSPAR ID of Cosmos 223?
A: The COSPAR ID of Cosmos 223 is 1968-045A, assigned by the Committee on Space Research.

### Q: What is the SCN number of Cosmos 223?
A: The SCN (Satellite Catalog Number) of Cosmos 223 is 03274, assigned by the United States Space Command.

### Q: Where was Cosmos 223 launched from?
A: Cosmos 223 was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41, a Soviet spaceport located in northern Russia.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 223 is part of the Soviet Union's extensive satellite program, which played a crucial role in the Cold War-era space race. The Zenit-2 class of satellites, of which Cosmos 223 was a member, was likely used for military reconnaissance, electronic intelligence gathering, or communications. The launch of Cosmos 223, along with other satellites in the program, demonstrates the Soviet Union's commitment to advancing its space capabilities during the 1960s. While the exact purpose of Cosmos 223 remains classified, its inclusion in the Zenit-2 series highlights the broader Soviet efforts to maintain a competitive edge in space technology. The satellite's launch and operation contribute to the historical record of early space exploration and the strategic use of satellites in national security.

## Notable For
- **Part of the Zenit-2 Class**: Cosmos 223 belongs to a series of Soviet satellites known for their military applications.
- **Launched by Voskhod Rocket**: The satellite was launched using the Voskhod rocket, which was also used for crewed missions.
- **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Launch**: The launch site, Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41, was a key location for Soviet space activities.
- **COSPAR and SCN Identification**: The satellite is uniquely identified by its COSPAR ID (1968-045A) and SCN number (03274).
- **Cold War-Era Satellite**: Cosmos 223 is part of a broader Soviet satellite program that operated during the Cold War.

## Body
### Classification and Purpose
Cosmos 223 is classified as a Zenit-2 satellite, a series of Soviet spacecraft known for their military applications. The Zenit-2 class was likely used for reconnaissance, electronic intelligence gathering, or communications, as was typical for Soviet satellite programs of the era. The exact purpose of Cosmos 223 remains classified, but its inclusion in the Zenit-2 series aligns with the broader Soviet efforts to maintain a competitive edge in space technology during the Cold War.

### Launch Details
Cosmos 223 was launched on June 1, 1968, at 10:50:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41. The launch vehicle used was the Voskhod rocket, which was also employed for crewed missions, such as the Voskhod program. The satellite was assigned the COSPAR ID 1968-045A and the SCN number 03274, which are used to uniquely identify satellites in the international space community.

### Historical Context
The launch of Cosmos 223 occurred during the height of the Cold War, a period marked by intense competition between the Soviet Union and the United States in the field of space exploration. The Soviet Union's satellite program, including the Zenit-2 series, was part of a broader effort to demonstrate technological superiority and maintain strategic advantages. While the exact details of Cosmos 223's mission remain classified, its launch and operation contribute to the historical record of early space exploration and the strategic use of satellites in national security.

### Identification and Tracking
Cosmos 223 is uniquely identified by its COSPAR ID (1968-045A) and SCN number (03274). The COSPAR ID is assigned by the Committee on Space Research, while the SCN number is assigned by the United States Space Command. These identifiers are used to track and catalog satellites in the international space community, ensuring accurate and consistent record-keeping of space activities.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report