# Cosmos 246
**Wikidata**: [Q12684102](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12684102)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-246

## Summary
Cosmos 246 is a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched on October 7, 1968, as part of the Zenit-4 program. It was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Voskhod launch vehicle. The satellite is identified by the COSPAR ID 1968-087A and is also known by the alias Kosmos 246.

## Key Facts
- Official name: Cosmos 246 (alias: Kosmos 246)
- COSPAR ID: 1968-087A
- Launch date: October 7, 1968
- Launch time: 12:05:46 UTC
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41
- Launch vehicle: Voskhod
- Satellite class: Zenit-4 (reconnaissance satellite)
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- SCN code: 03473
- Wikipedia languages: Hungarian, Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, Serbian

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 246?
A: Cosmos 246 was a Zenit-4 reconnaissance satellite developed by the Soviet Union for intelligence-gathering purposes. It was used to conduct optical surveillance missions from orbit.

### Q: When was Cosmos 246 launched?
A: Cosmos 246 was launched on October 7, 1968, at 12:05:46 UTC from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia.

### Q: What kind of rocket launched Cosmos 246?
A: Cosmos 246 was launched using a Voskhod launch vehicle, a Soviet-era rocket primarily used for military and reconnaissance payloads.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 246 represents a key component of the Soviet Union's Cold War-era space-based reconnaissance capabilities. As part of the Zenit-4 program, it contributed to the USSR’s efforts to monitor global activities through orbital surveillance. These missions were critical for strategic intelligence during a period marked by geopolitical tension. Cosmos 246 reflects the technological advancements and operational priorities of the Soviet space program in the late 1960s.

## Notable For
- Being part of the classified Zenit-4 reconnaissance satellite program
- Launching from the high-latitude Plesetsk Cosmodrome, which was typical for Soviet military launches
- Using the Voskhod launcher, which had both crewed and uncrewed variants
- Having a relatively short operational lifespan, consistent with early reconnaissance satellites
- Representing one of many Cosmos-designated missions that obscured the true nature of Soviet military satellites

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 246 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite belonging to the Zenit-4 class. These satellites were designed to capture high-resolution imagery for intelligence purposes. Missions like Cosmos 246 were often disguised under the generic "Kosmos" designation to obscure their military function.

### Technical Details
- **Satellite Class**: Zenit-4
- **Launch Vehicle**: Voskhod
- **COSPAR ID**: 1968-087A
- **SCN Code**: 03473

The Zenit-4 program followed earlier reconnaissance systems and helped refine Soviet orbital imaging technology throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

### Launch Event
- **Date**: October 7, 1968
- **Time**: 12:05:46 UTC
- **Location**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 41
- **Event Type**: Rocket launch

This launch occurred during a peak phase of the Space Race, when both superpowers were rapidly advancing their space capabilities for strategic advantage.

### Operational Context
As part of the broader Cosmos series, Cosmos 246 was among hundreds of satellites launched under ambiguous naming conventions. Many such missions supported defense-related objectives without public disclosure of their functions. The use of the Voskhod launcher underscores its dual-use heritage—originally developed for human spaceflight but later adapted for military payloads.

### Legacy
Cosmos 246 contributes to the historical record of Soviet space-based intelligence operations. Though specific mission outcomes remain classified, its existence illustrates the scale and sophistication of Cold War-era surveillance programs conducted via low Earth orbit platforms.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report