# Cosmos 253
**Wikidata**: [Q12753776](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753776)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-253

## Summary  
Cosmos 253 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched in 1968 as part of the Zenit-2 program, designed for photo 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**: November 13, 1968  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1968-102A  
- **Satellite Catalog Number**: 03542  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Voskhod (Soviet rocket)  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41  
- **Mission Type**: Photo reconnaissance  
- **Class**: Zenit-2 satellite  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 253?  
A: Cosmos 253 was a photo reconnaissance satellite used by the Soviet Union to gather intelligence, typical of the Zenit-2 series designed for military surveillance.  

### Q: What rocket launched Cosmos 253?  
A: It was launched aboard a Voskhod rocket, a Soviet launch vehicle used for both crewed and uncrewed missions.  

### Q: Where was Cosmos 253 launched from?  
A: The satellite was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41 in the Soviet Union.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 253 represents a key component of the Soviet Union’s space-based reconnaissance efforts during the Cold War. As part of the Zenit-2 series, it exemplified the integration of space technology with military strategy, enabling photographic surveillance of strategic targets. Its launch on a Voskhod rocket highlighted the adaptability of Soviet launch systems, which supported both crewed spaceflight and clandestine satellite operations. While individual Zenit missions like Cosmos 253 were not publicly detailed, their cumulative role underscored the growing importance of space assets in geopolitical competition.  

## Notable For  
- **Reconnaissance Mission**: Part of the Zenit-2 series, the Soviet Union’s first generation of photo reconnaissance satellites.  
- **Voskhod Rocket Deployment**: Utilized a launch vehicle also associated with crewed spaceflight missions.  
- **Cold War Context**: Contributed to intelligence-gathering capabilities during a period of heightened international tensions.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date and Time**: Launched on November 13, 1968, at 12:00:01 UTC.  
- **Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41, a facility primarily used for military and reconnaissance satellite launches.  
- **Vehicle**: Voskhod rocket, a derivative of the R-7 family adapted for satellite deployments.  

### Mission Purpose  
- **Surveillance Role**: Designed to capture photographic intelligence, with the Zenit-2 class featuring film capsules that were returned to Earth via re-entry vehicles.  
- **Operational Secrecy**: Like other Zenit missions, Cosmos 253’s activities were not publicly disclosed, reflecting the classified nature of Soviet military space programs.  

### Satellite Specifications  
- **Catalog Designation**: Assigned the Satellite Catalog Number 03542 for tracking.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1968-102A, indicating its launch order in 1968.  
- **Series Context**: The Zenit-2 satellites were the Soviet Union’s primary reconnaissance platform of the 1960s, with Cosmos 253 being one of numerous iterations.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report