# Cosmos 271
**Wikidata**: [Q12753783](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753783)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-271

## Summary
Cosmos 271 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched in 1969 as part of the Zenit-4 class, designed for photographic intelligence gathering. It was deployed using a Voskhod launch vehicle from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The satellite operated under the COSPAR ID 1969-023A and the satellite catalog number 03807.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: March 15, 1969, at 12:15:00 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Voskhod rocket, a Soviet launch vehicle.
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41.
- **Satellite Class**: Zenit-4, a series of Soviet reconnaissance satellites.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1969-023A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 03807.
- **Mission Type**: Military reconnaissance for the Soviet Union.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Cosmos 271 launched?
A: Cosmos 271 was launched on March 15, 1969, at 12:15:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41.

### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 271?
A: It was a Zenit-4 reconnaissance satellite, designed to gather photographic intelligence for military use.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 271?
A: The satellite was launched using a Voskhod rocket, a Soviet-era launch vehicle.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 271 represents a key component of the Soviet Union’s Cold War-era space-based reconnaissance efforts. As part of the Zenit-4 satellite series, it contributed to the USSR’s ability to conduct photographic surveillance, providing critical intelligence during a period of heightened geopolitical tensions. Its launch from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a major Soviet space facility, underscores its role in the broader military and space infrastructure of the time. The mission reflects the strategic importance of satellite technology in monitoring adversaries and maintaining national security, highlighting the space race’s dual civilian-military dimensions.

## Notable For
- **Zenit-4 Class Membership**: Part of a prolific series of Soviet reconnaissance satellites known for their photographic capabilities.
- **Voskhod Launch Vehicle**: Utilized a rocket also associated with crewed spacecraft missions, demonstrating versatility in Soviet launch systems.
- **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Launch**: Conducted from a strategic northern launch site, optimizing orbital trajectories for reconnaissance missions.
- **Cold War Context**: Operated during a critical period of U.S.-Soviet rivalry, underscoring the military applications of space technology.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date/Time**: March 15, 1969, at 12:15:00 UTC.
- **Location**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41, a facility primarily used for military and reconnaissance satellite launches.
- **Rocket**: Voskhod launch vehicle, a derivative of the R-7 rocket family adapted for satellite deployments.

### Satellite Specifications
- **Class**: Zenit-4, a second-generation Soviet reconnaissance satellite with improved optical systems.
- **Identifiers**:
  - **COSPAR ID**: 1969-023A.
  - **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 03807.
- **Mission Duration**: Typical Zenit-4 missions lasted approximately 14 days, after which the satellite’s film capsule was recovered mid-air.

### Mission Context
- **Purpose**: To conduct photographic surveillance of strategic targets, supporting Soviet military and political objectives.
- **Historical Significance**: Part of a broader network of satellites that provided the USSR with global reconnaissance capabilities, reducing reliance on risky aerial overflights.
- **Operational Secrecy**: Like most Soviet military satellites, details about Cosmos 271’s specific targets or operations were not publicly disclosed.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report