# Cosmos 263
**Wikidata**: [Q12907671](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907671)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-263

## Summary
Cosmos 263 (also known as Kosmos 263) was a Soviet satellite launched on January 12, 1969. Designated as part of the Zenit-2 class, it was sent into orbit using a Voskhod launch vehicle from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. Its COSPAR ID is 1969-003A.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Cosmos 263 is an instance of the **Zenit-2** class of satellites.
*   **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on **January 12, 1969**.
*   **Launch Time:** The specific launch time was **12:10:00**.
*   **Launch Site:** It launched from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41**.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** The satellite was delivered to orbit by a **Voskhod** launch vehicle.
*   **COSPAR ID:** Its international designation is **1969-003A**.
*   **Satellite Catalog Number:** It is identified by the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) **03651**.
*   **Aliases:** It is also known as **Kosmos 263**.
*   **Entity Code:** In the Wolfram Language, it is represented as `Entity["Satellite", "03651"]`.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 263?
A: Cosmos 263 was a satellite of the Zenit-2 class. It was launched by the Soviet Union via a Voskhod rocket.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 263 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on January 12, 1969, at 12:10:00, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41.

### Q: What is the COSPAR ID for Cosmos 263?
A: The COSPAR (Committee on Space Research) International Identifier for Cosmos 263 is 1969-003A.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 263 serves as a historical data point within the Soviet space program's extensive "Cosmos" series. Launched in early 1969, it represents the ongoing operational tempo of the Soviet Union's space activities during the Space Race. Specifically, it illustrates the utilization of the Zenit-2 satellite class, a significant category of Soviet spacecraft.

The entry is also notable for its precise tracking data. The existence of a specific launch time (12:10:00) and a distinct Satellite Catalog Number (03651) highlights the granular level at which these objects were cataloged by international observers and entities like NORAD. Furthermore, the use of the Voskhod launch vehicle—a derivative of the R-7 missile family—demonstrates the reliance on robust, established rocket technology for deploying satellites of this class during this era.

## Notable For
*   **Zenit-2 Classification:** It is a confirmed instance of the Zenit-2 class of satellites.
*   **Specific Launch Time:** The launch is recorded with precise second-level accuracy (12:10:00).
*   **Site 41 Origin:** It utilized Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41/1 as its departure point.
*   **Dual-Naming Convention:** It appears in databases under both "Cosmos 263" and "Kosmos 263."

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 263 was a man-made object launched into orbit, classified within the Soviet Union's "Cosmos" program. This program served as a blanket designation for a wide variety of Soviet satellites, encompassing scientific research, military reconnaissance, and technology demonstration flights.

### Launch Details
The satellite embarked on its mission on **January 12, 1969**. The launch took place at the **Plesetsk Cosmodrome**, specifically from **Site 41**. The launch window was executed precisely at **12:10:00**. The vehicle responsible for placing Cosmos 263 into orbit was the **Voskhod** rocket. In the context of this entity, the Voskhod is identified as a Russian launch vehicle rather than the crewed spacecraft series of the same name.

### Identification and Tracking
Standardized identifiers for Cosmos 263 include:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1969-003A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 03651

These alphanumeric codes allow for the unique identification of the space object in global catalogs, distinguishing it from the thousands of other objects launched into space. The "1969" in the COSPAR ID indicates the year of launch, while "003A" designates it as the third launch of that year (or the specific payload of that launch event).

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report