# Cosmos 368
**Wikidata**: [Q12753819](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753819)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-368

## Summary
Cosmos 368 was a Soviet spy satellite launched on October 8, 1970. Designated specifically as a Zenit 2M spacecraft, it was utilized for reconnaissance purposes. The mission was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome atop a Voskhod rocket.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 368 is an instance of the **Zenit 2M** class of Soviet spy satellites.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on **October 8, 1970**.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was propelled into orbit by a **Voskhod** launch vehicle.
- **Launch Site:** The launch took place at **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31**.
- **Launch Time:** The precise time of the rocket launch was **12:39:02**.
- **COSPAR ID:** The international designation for this object is **1970-080A**.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** The US Space Command number is **04571**.
- **Aliases:** The satellite is also known as **Kosmos 368**.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 368?
A: Cosmos 368 was a Zenit 2M satellite, which functions as a Soviet spy satellite used for reconnaissance.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 368 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on October 8, 1970, at 12:39:02 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 368?
A: A Voskhod rocket was used to launch Cosmos 368. The Voskhod is a Russian launch vehicle that was active during the Soviet era.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 368 serves as a specific historical data point within the extensive Soviet Kosmos program, which often masked the true nature of military reconnaissance missions. As a Zenit 2M satellite, it represents a generation of Soviet intelligence gathering that relied on film-return capsules or specific electronic monitoring capabilities developed during the Cold War.

The launch is significant for space historians tracking the utilization rates of specific launch pads and vehicles. The fact that it launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 via a Voskhod rocket helps analysts understand the logistical distribution of the Soviet space program in 1970. While individual Kosmos satellites often lack public fame due to the secretive nature of their missions, precise records such as the COSPAR ID (1970-080A) and the exact launch time (12:39:02) allow for the accurate tracking of orbital debris and the historical mapping of space activity.

## Notable For
- Being a member of the **Zenit 2M** class of spy satellites.
- Launching from **Site 31** at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, a major operational hub for Soviet spaceflight.
- Utilizing the **Voskhod** rocket, a vehicle derived from the R-7 Semyorka family used for both crewed and uncrewed missions.
- Maintaining a presence in multiple language editions of Wikipedia (Hungarian, Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, Serbian), indicating international recognition of the catalog entry.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 368 (alias Kosmos 368) was an uncrewed spacecraft launched by the Soviet Union. As indicated by its classification as a **Zenit 2M**, the satellite's primary role was intelligence gathering as a spy satellite.

### Launch Specifications
The mission officially commenced on **October 8, 1970**. The launch event is recorded with high precision:
- **Location:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31
- **Time:** 12:39:02
- **Vehicle:** Voskhod (Russian launch vehicle)

### Technical Identifiers
The spacecraft is cataloged in international databases with the following identifiers:
- **COSPAR ID:** 1970-080A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 04571

### Program Context
The satellite is part of the larger "Cosmos" (or "Kosmos") designation system used by the Soviet Union. This system was employed to mask the true nature of military satellites, grouping them together with scientific, navigational, and other non-military payloads to obscure their specific reconnaissance functions from public scrutiny. The Zenit 2M class specifically denotes a subtype of the Zenit reconnaissance satellite series.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report