# Cosmos 232
**Wikidata**: [Q12683005](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12683005)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-232

## Summary
Cosmos 232 was a Soviet Zenit-4 reconnaissance satellite launched on July 16, 1968. It was deployed into orbit using a Voskhod launch vehicle from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41. The mission is identified by the international designator 1968-060A and the satellite catalog number 03322.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 232 is an instance of the Zenit-4 class of Soviet reconnaissance satellites.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite launched on July 16, 1968.
- **Launch Time:** The launch took place at 13:10:00 UTC.
- **Launch Site:** It launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41.
- **Launch Vehicle:** A Voskhod rocket was used to propel the satellite into orbit.
- **COSPAR ID:** The mission received the international ID 1968-060A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** It is listed under SCN 03322.
- **Aliases:** The satellite is also known as Kosmos 232.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 232?
A: Cosmos 232 was a Zenit-4 satellite, which is a class of Soviet reconnaissance satellite used for gathering intelligence.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 232 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on July 16, 1968, at 13:10:00 UTC from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 232?
A: Cosmos 232 was launched using a Voskhod launch vehicle, a Russian rocket utilized during the Soviet era.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 232 serves as a representative example of the Soviet Union's extensive reconnaissance activities during the Cold War, specifically within the Zenit-4 program. As a military satellite, its primary role was likely Earth observation and intelligence gathering, contributing to the strategic capabilities of the Soviet Union in 1968. The mission highlights the operational tempo of the Soviet space program, utilizing the reliable Voskhod launch vehicle to deploy military assets from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. Its inclusion in international catalogs (COSPAR) and specific tracking via Satellite Catalog Number 03322 underscores its status as a tracked object in the global space surveillance network. The mission is part of the broader "Cosmos" series, a designation used by the Soviet Union to mask the true nature of military satellites, grouping them alongside scientific missions to maintain secrecy.

## Notable For
- Being a specific unit of the **Zenit-4** class of reconnaissance satellites.
- Launching from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41**, a key Soviet launch complex.
- Utilizing the **Voskhod** launch vehicle, which was derived from the R-7 Semyorka family.
- Being tracked under the Wolfram Language entity code `Entity["Satellite", "03322"]`.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 232 was part of the long-running Kosmos program, a Soviet initiative that encompassed a wide variety of scientific and military spacecraft. This specific entity was a military reconnaissance satellite.

### Technical Specifications
The spacecraft belonged to the **Zenit-4** class. Zenit satellites were typically equipped with cameras and recovery systems to return film capsules to Earth.

### Launch Details
The launch event occurred on **July 16, 1968**.
- **Location:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41.
- **Time:** 13:10:00.
- **Vehicle:** The Voskhod rocket, a three-stage launch vehicle known for its role in Soviet crewed and uncrewed missions.

### Identifiers and Tracking
Cosmos 232 is tracked and referenced through several international and scientific databases:
- **COSPAR ID:** 1968-060A.
- **Satellite Number:** 03322.
- **System Name:** Kosmos 232.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report