# Cosmos 331
**Wikidata**: [Q12907686](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907686)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-331

## Summary
Cosmos 331 (also known as Kosmos 331) was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite that was launched in 1970 as part of the Zenit-4 program using a Voskhod launch vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- Cosmos 331 is a Zenit-4 reconnaissance satellite
- It was launched on April 8, 1970
- The satellite has the COSPAR ID 1970-026A and the SCN number 04364
- It was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31
- The launch vehicle was a Voskhod rocket
- It belongs to the Soviet Union's space program

## FAQs
### Q: What was Cosmos 331?
A: Cosmos 331 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched in 1970 as part of the Zenit-4 program.

### Q: When was Cosmos 331 launched?
A: It was launched on April 8, 1970.

### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 331?
A: It was a Zenit-4 reconnaissance satellite used for intelligence gathering.

### Q: What was the launch vehicle for Cosmos 331?
A: The Voskhod rocket was used to launch Cosmos 331 from Baikonur Cosmodrome.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 331 represents an important part of the Soviet Union's Cold War reconnaissance program, contributing to the strategic intelligence capabilities of the Soviet space program during the 1970s. As a Zenit-4 satellite, it was part of a series designed to provide photographic reconnaissance capabilities, which were crucial for monitoring military activities and strategic assets during the Cold War era. The satellite's successful launch and operation would have contributed to the Soviet Union's ability to gather intelligence on potential adversaries, playing a role in the broader geopolitical competition between the United States and the Soviet Union.

## Notable For
- It was the 43rd satellite in the Zenit-4 series (SCN 04364)
- It was launched using a Voskhod rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome
- It represents the Soviet Union's reconnaissance capabilities during the Cold War
- The satellite operated as part of the Soviet space program's intelligence-gathering mission
- It was classified under the Cosmos designation system used for Soviet satellites

## Body
### Technical Specifications
Cosmos 331 was classified as a Zenit-4 reconnaissance satellite, which was part of the Soviet Union's intelligence-gathering program. The satellite was designed primarily for photographic reconnaissance missions, providing high-resolution images of ground targets. The Zenit-4 series represented an evolution from earlier reconnaissance satellites, offering improved capabilities and more sophisticated imaging systems.

### Launch Details
The launch of Cosmos 331 occurred on April 8, 1970, from Site 31 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The Voskhod launch vehicle, which was also used for crewed missions including the Voskhod spacecraft series, successfully placed the satellite into orbit. The launch time was recorded as 10:15:20 on that date.

### Operational Context
As part of the Soviet space program, Cosmos 331 was part of a larger network of reconnaissance satellites that provided strategic intelligence during the Cold War. The Zenit-4 program was particularly important for monitoring military installations, troop movements, and other strategic assets across the globe. The satellite's orbital parameters and imaging capabilities would have allowed it to capture detailed photographs of ground targets, contributing to the Soviet Union's intelligence operations.

### Classification and Identification
The satellite was identified by both the Cosmos designation (Kosmos 331) and the COSPAR designation 1970-026A. Its SCN number (04364) placed it as the 43rd satellite in the Zenit-4 series, indicating its position within the Soviet Union's satellite program. The use of the Cosmos designation was standard for Soviet satellites launched after 1962, providing a systematic way to identify and track these spacecraft.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report