# Cosmos 326
**Wikidata**: [Q12753805](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753805)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-326

## Summary  
Cosmos 326 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched in 1970 as part of the Zenit-2 class, designed for photo surveillance. It was deployed using a Voskhod rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, contributing to the Soviet Union's Cold War-era space-based intelligence efforts.  

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: March 13, 1970, at 08:00:02 UTC.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Voskhod rocket (Soviet launch vehicle).  
- **Class**: Zenit-2, a series of Soviet photo reconnaissance satellites.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1970-018A.  
- **SCN**: 04346.  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4.  
- **Mission Type**: Military reconnaissance.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 326?  
A: Cosmos 326 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite designed to conduct photographic surveillance from space, supporting military intelligence operations during the Cold War.  

### Q: How was Cosmos 326 launched?  
A: It was launched aboard a Voskhod rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 on March 13, 1970, at 08:00:02 UTC.  

### Q: What class of satellite was Cosmos 326?  
A: It belonged to the Zenit-2 class, a series of Soviet satellites used for photo reconnaissance missions.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 326 represents a key component of the Soviet Union’s Cold War reconnaissance efforts, leveraging space-based assets to gather critical intelligence. As part of the Zenit-2 program, it exemplified the integration of satellite technology with military strategy, enabling the Soviet Union to monitor geopolitical activities globally. Its launch on a Voskhod rocket also highlighted the adaptability of Soviet launch systems for both crewed and uncrewed missions. While individual Zenit satellites like Cosmos 326 were not publicly detailed due to their classified nature, their collective role underscored the strategic importance of space-based surveillance during the Cold War era.  

## Notable For  
- **Zenit-2 Class Membership**: Part of the Soviet Union’s primary photo reconnaissance satellite series.  
- **Voskhod Rocket Deployment**: Utilized a launch vehicle also associated with crewed spaceflight programs.  
- **Cold War Surveillance**: Contributed to the Soviet military’s intelligence-gathering capabilities during a period of heightened geopolitical tension.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date/Time**: March 13, 1970, at 08:00:02 UTC.  
- **Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4, a key Soviet launch facility.  
- **Vehicle**: Voskhod rocket, a versatile launch system derived from the R-7 family.  

### Spacecraft Specifications  
- **Class**: Zenit-2, designed for low Earth orbit (LEO) photo reconnaissance.  
- **Identifiers**:  
  - **COSPAR ID**: 1970-018A.  
  - **SCN**: 04346.  

### Mission Context  
- **Objective**: To conduct photographic surveillance for military intelligence purposes.  
- **Historical Significance**: Part of the broader Cosmos program, which encompassed numerous Soviet satellite missions, including communication, scientific, and military satellites.  

### Legacy  
- **Classification**: Details about its specific mission outcomes remain undisclosed due to its military nature.  
- **Program Impact**: The Zenit-2 series, including Cosmos 326, played a foundational role in advancing Soviet space-based reconnaissance technology during the 1960s–1970s.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report