# Cosmos 344
**Wikidata**: [Q12753810](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753810)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-344

## Summary
Cosmos 344 is an artificial satellite of the Earth launched by the Soviet Union on May 12, 1970, using a Voskhod rocket. Classified as a Zenit-2 spacecraft, it was deployed from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41 and carries the international designator 1970-038A. This mission represents a specific instance of Soviet space exploration activity during the early 1970s.

## Key Facts
*   **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on May 12, 1970, at exactly 10:10:01.
*   **Launch Site:** The mission originated from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** It was carried into orbit by a Voskhod rocket, a Soviet launch vehicle.
*   **Satellite Class:** Cosmos 344 is an artificial satellite of the Earth and belongs to the Zenit-2 class.
*   **International Designator:** Its COSPAR ID is 1970-038A.
*   **Internal Number:** The satellite is identified by the number 04401.
*   **Aliases:** It is also known as Kosmos 344.
*   **Language Coverage:** Information about this entity is available in Macedonian, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian.
*   **Wolfram Entity Code:** The entity is coded as `Entity["Satellite", "04401"]` in the Wolfram Language.
*   **Significant Event:** The primary event recorded is the rocket launch occurring at the specified time and location.

## FAQs
**What type of spacecraft was Cosmos 344 and who operated it?**
Cosmos 344 was an artificial satellite of the Earth belonging to the Zenit-2 class. It was operated by the Soviet Union, which utilized the Voskhod launch vehicle to deploy it.

**When and where did the launch of Cosmos 344 take place?**
The launch occurred on May 12, 1970, at 10:10:01 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41. This specific site and time mark the beginning of the satellite's operational history.

**How is Cosmos 344 identified in international and technical databases?**
Internationally, it is designated as 1970-038A under the COSPAR system. In the Wolfram Language, it is referenced by the code `Entity["Satellite", "04401"]`, and internally it holds the number 04401.

**In which languages can information about this satellite be found?**
Documentation and encyclopedic entries for Cosmos 344 are available in four languages: Macedonian, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 344 serves as a documented data point within the broader history of the Soviet space program, specifically illustrating the operational use of the Zenit-2 class and the Voskhod launch vehicle. Its existence confirms the continued deployment of artificial satellites from Plesetsk Cosmodrome during the early 1970s, a period of intense space activity. For researchers and historians, the precise launch coordinates, timing, and classification data provide essential verification for tracking the evolution of Soviet satellite technology and launch infrastructure. The entity's presence in multiple language databases highlights its recognition within the global scientific community.

## Notable For
*   **Specific Launch Precision:** The mission is recorded with exact timing down to the second (10:10:01) on its launch date.
*   **Dual Classification:** It is explicitly categorized both as a general artificial satellite and specifically as a Zenit-2 class spacecraft.
*   **Distinct Launch Site:** The mission utilized Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41, distinguishing it from launches at other facilities like Baikonur.
*   **Multi-Language Documentation:** The entity maintains active sitelinks across four distinct Slavic language communities (Macedonian, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Serbian).
*   **Standardized Identification:** It holds a unique COSPAR ID (1970-038A) and a specific Wolfram Language entity code, ensuring precise digital tracking.

## Body

### Mission Overview and Classification
Cosmos 344 is fundamentally an artificial satellite of the Earth. Within the taxonomy of space objects, it is specifically classified as a member of the Zenit-2 class. This classification places it within a lineage of Soviet spacecraft designed for specific orbital missions. The entity is also associated with the broader Voskhod class, which encompasses both the Russian launch vehicle and the series of Soviet crewed spacecraft, though Cosmos 344 itself is a satellite payload. The satellite is identified by the internal number 04401 and is also referred to by the alias "Kosmos 344."

### Launch Operations and Logistics
The deployment of Cosmos 344 was a significant event recorded as a rocket launch. This operation took place on May 12, 1970. The precise time of the event was 10:10:01. The launch vehicle responsible for placing the satellite into orbit was the Voskhod, a rocket developed and utilized by the Soviet Union. The physical location of the launch was Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41. This specific site within the Plesetsk complex served as the start point for the mission. The combination of the Voskhod rocket and the Zenit-2 payload represents a specific configuration of Soviet space hardware during this era.

### Identification and Data Standards
To ensure accurate tracking and referencing, Cosmos 344 is assigned several unique identifiers. Its international space designation, known as the COSPAR ID, is 1970-038A. In the context of computational knowledge systems, specifically the Wolfram Language, the satellite is represented by the entity code `Entity["Satellite", "04401"]`. These identifiers allow for the unambiguous distinction of this specific satellite from other objects in the Cosmos series or other Zenit-2 missions. The data regarding these identifiers is sourced from authoritative records, ensuring the reliability of the classification.

### Documentation and Linguistic Presence
The historical record of Cosmos 344 is preserved across multiple linguistic communities. Wikipedia and related knowledge bases host content about this satellite in four specific languages: Macedonian (mk), Russian (ru), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr). This multi-lingual presence indicates the satellite's relevance to researchers and enthusiasts across these regions. The total sitelink count for the entity is recorded as 4, reflecting the number of language versions where this specific article exists. The data confirms that while the satellite was a Soviet project, its documentation has a broader international footprint in terms of language accessibility.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report