# Cosmos 293
**Wikidata**: [Q12753794](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753794)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-293

## Summary
Cosmos 293 was a Soviet spy satellite launched on August 16, 1969, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. It was part of the Zenit 2M series and was launched aboard a Voskhod rocket. The satellite's primary purpose was reconnaissance, contributing to the Soviet Union's intelligence-gathering efforts during the Cold War.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: August 16, 1969
- **Launch Vehicle**: Voskhod
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31
- **Satellite Class**: Zenit 2M
- **COSPAR ID**: 1969-071A
- **SCN (NORAD)**: 04072
- **Country of Origin**: Soviet Union
- **Significant Event**: Rocket launch at 11:59:59 UTC on August 16, 1969

## FAQs
### Q: What was Cosmos 293?
A: Cosmos 293 was a Soviet spy satellite launched in 1969 as part of the Zenit 2M series. It was used for reconnaissance and was launched aboard a Voskhod rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

### Q: When was Cosmos 293 launched?
A: Cosmos 293 was launched on August 16, 1969, at 11:59:59 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.

### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 293?
A: Cosmos 293 was a Zenit 2M-class spy satellite, designed for reconnaissance purposes.

### Q: Which rocket launched Cosmos 293?
A: Cosmos 293 was launched aboard a Voskhod rocket.

### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 293?
A: The primary purpose of Cosmos 293 was reconnaissance, supporting the Soviet Union's intelligence operations during the Cold War.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 293 was part of the Soviet Union's extensive spy satellite program, which played a crucial role in Cold War-era intelligence gathering. The Zenit 2M series, of which Cosmos 293 was a member, was designed to provide high-resolution imagery for military and strategic purposes. Launched during a period of heightened Cold War tensions, these satellites contributed to the Soviet Union's ability to monitor global activities, including military deployments and strategic infrastructure. The success of Cosmos 293 reflected the Soviet Union's advancements in space-based reconnaissance technology, which remained a critical component of its military strategy throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

## Notable For
- **Zenit 2M Series**: Cosmos 293 was part of the Zenit 2M class of spy satellites, known for their reconnaissance capabilities.
- **Voskhod Launch**: The satellite was launched using the Voskhod rocket, which was also used for crewed missions.
- **Cold War Reconnaissance**: It supported the Soviet Union's intelligence efforts during the Cold War.
- **Baikonur Launch Site**: The satellite was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31, a key facility for Soviet space operations.
- **1969 Launch**: Cosmos 293 was launched in 1969, a year marked by significant advancements in Soviet space technology.

## Body
### Overview
Cosmos 293 was a Soviet spy satellite launched on August 16, 1969, as part of the Zenit 2M series. The satellite was launched aboard a Voskhod rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31. It was assigned the COSPAR ID 1969-071A and the SCN (NORAD) number 04072.

### Satellite Classification
Cosmos 293 was classified as a Zenit 2M satellite, which was part of the Soviet Union's reconnaissance satellite program. The Zenit 2M series was designed to provide high-resolution imagery for military and strategic purposes.

### Launch Details
The launch of Cosmos 293 took place at 11:59:59 UTC on August 16, 1969, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31. The satellite was launched using a Voskhod rocket, which was also used for crewed missions, such as the Voskhod spacecraft series.

### Purpose and Significance
The primary purpose of Cosmos 293 was reconnaissance, supporting the Soviet Union's intelligence operations during the Cold War. The satellite's launch was part of the Soviet Union's efforts to maintain a strategic advantage in space-based surveillance.

### Historical Context
Cosmos 293 was launched in 1969, a year that saw significant advancements in Soviet space technology. The satellite was part of a broader program that included other Zenit 2M satellites, which were used for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.

### Related Entities
- **Zenit 2M**: The satellite class to which Cosmos 293 belonged.
- **Voskhod Rocket**: The launch vehicle used to deploy Cosmos 293.
- **Voskhod Spacecraft**: A related series of crewed spacecraft launched by the Soviet Union.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report