# Cosmos 241
**Wikidata**: [Q12683788](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12683788)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-241

## Summary  
Cosmos 241 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched in 1968 as part of the Zenit-4 program, designed for photographic surveillance. It was deployed using a Voskhod rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, contributing to the Soviet Union's Cold War-era intelligence-gathering efforts.  

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: September 16, 1968  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1968-077A  
- **Satellite Class**: Zenit-4 (Soviet reconnaissance satellite)  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Voskhod (Soviet launch vehicle)  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41  
- **SCN**: 03398  
- **Mission Type**: Military reconnaissance  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 241?  
A: Cosmos 241 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite used for photographic intelligence gathering as part of the Zenit-4 program.  

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 241 launched?  
A: It launched on September 16, 1968, at 12:30:01 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41 in the Soviet Union.  

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 241?  
A: The satellite was deployed using a Voskhod launch vehicle, a Soviet rocket derived from the R-7 family.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 241 represents a key component of the Soviet Union’s military space infrastructure during the Cold War. As part of the Zenit-4 series, it played a critical role in reconnaissance missions, providing photographic intelligence to support strategic decision-making. Its launch on a Voskhod rocket underscores the Soviet emphasis on rapid, reliable access to space for national security objectives. While individual Zenit satellites like Cosmos 241 were not publicly highlighted, their collective operations formed the backbone of Soviet overhead surveillance capabilities, influencing geopolitical dynamics and military preparedness.  

## Notable For  
- **Zenit-4 Class Membership**: Part of the Zenit-4 series, the primary Soviet photo-reconnaissance satellites of the 1960s–1980s.  
- **Voskhod Launch Vehicle**: Utilized a rocket also associated with crewed spaceflight missions, demonstrating dual-use capabilities.  
- **Plesetsk Launch Site**: Launched from a facility primarily used for military and classified space operations.  
- **Cold War Context**: Contributed to the Soviet Union’s intelligence-gathering apparatus during a period of heightened geopolitical tension.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date/Time**: September 16, 1968, at 12:30:01 UTC.  
- **Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41, a launch pad reserved for military and government space missions.  
- **Vehicle**: Voskhod rocket (a modified R-7 variant), serial number unknown.  

### Satellite Specifications  
- **Class**: Zenit-4, a first-generation Soviet reconnaissance satellite designed for high-resolution photographic surveillance.  
- **SCN/COSPAR**: Identified as 03398 (SCN) and 1968-077A (COSPAR ID).  
- **Mission Duration**: Typical Zenit-4 missions lasted approximately 14 days, after which the satellite’s film capsule was recovered mid-air.  

### Mission Context  
- **Program**: Part of the broader Zenit program, which conducted over 500 launches between 1961 and 1996.  
- **Payload**: Carried film-based cameras for imaging strategic targets, with film returned to Earth via re-entry capsules.  
- **Decay**: The satellite’s orbital decay date is not specified in the source material, but Zenit-4 spacecraft typically deorbited shortly after mission completion.  

### Historical Significance  
- **Classification**: Operated under the “Cosmos” designation, used for Soviet/Russian satellites with undisclosed or military purposes.  
- **Launch Cadence**: The 1968 launch year saw 19 Zenit satellites deployed, reflecting the program’s high operational tempo.  
- **Legacy**: The Zenit-4 series laid the foundation for subsequent Soviet reconnaissance systems, including the Yantar and Persona satellites.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report