# Cosmos 349
**Wikidata**: [Q13418134](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13418134)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-349

## Summary  
Cosmos 349 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched in 1970 as part of the Zenit-4 series, designed for photographic intelligence gathering. It was deployed using a Voskhod rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, reflecting Cold War-era space-based surveillance efforts.  

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: June 17, 1970, at 12:59:57 UTC.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1970-045A.  
- **Satellite Class**: Zenit-4, a Soviet reconnaissance satellite type.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Voskhod, a Soviet launch vehicle.  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4.  
- **SCN**: 04416.  
- **Mission Context**: Part of the Soviet Union’s Cold War reconnaissance program.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 349?  
A: Cosmos 349 was a reconnaissance satellite used for photographic intelligence gathering as part of the Soviet Union’s Zenit-4 program.  

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 349 launched?  
A: It launched on June 17, 1970, at 12:59:57 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4.  

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 349?  
A: The satellite was deployed using a Voskhod launch vehicle.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 349 represents a key component of the Soviet Union’s Cold War-era space reconnaissance efforts. As part of the Zenit-4 series, it contributed to the systematic monitoring of strategic targets, underscoring the critical role of satellite imagery in military intelligence during this period. Its launch on a Voskhod rocket highlights the adaptability of Soviet space infrastructure, repurposing crewed spacecraft technology for unmanned missions. Cosmos 349 exemplifies the broader geopolitical competition driving space technology development in the 1970s.  

## Notable For  
- **Reconnaissance Role**: Part of the Zenit-4 series, specialized for photographic surveillance.  
- **Voskhod Launch Vehicle**: Utilized a rocket originally designed for crewed missions, demonstrating Soviet engineering flexibility.  
- **Plesetsk Launch Site**: Launched from a strategic military cosmodrome, emphasizing its defense-related mission.  
- **Cold War Context**: Operated during a period of heightened tensions, underscoring the importance of space-based intelligence.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date/Time**: June 17, 1970, at 12:59:57 UTC.  
- **Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4, a military-focused launch facility.  
- **Vehicle**: Voskhod rocket, a derivative of the earlier R-7 family adapted for satellite launches.  

### Satellite Specifications  
- **Class**: Zenit-4, a second-generation Soviet reconnaissance satellite.  
- **SCN/COSPAR**: Identified as 04416 and 1970-045A, respectively.  
- **Mission Type**: Photographic reconnaissance, returning film capsules via re-entry vehicles.  

### Mission Context  
- **Program**: Part of the Soviet Union’s systematic effort to monitor adversaries through space-based assets.  
- **Historical Significance**: Operated during a peak period of Cold War espionage, reflecting the integration of space technology into military strategy.  
- **Legacy**: Contributed to the evolution of the Zenit satellite series, which formed the backbone of Soviet reconnaissance capabilities for over two decades.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report