# Cosmos 384
**Wikidata**: [Q12753825](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753825)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-384

## Summary
Cosmos 384 was a Soviet Zenit 2M reconnaissance satellite launched in 1970 to conduct photographic surveillance as part of the Soviet Union's intelligence-gathering efforts. It was deployed via a Voskhod rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, marking a routine yet critical mission during the Cold War era. The satellite operated under the COSPAR designation 1970-105A and the satellite catalog number 04791.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: December 10, 1970, at 11:10:00 UTC.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1970-105A.
- **Satellite Class**: Zenit 2M, a Soviet spy satellite model.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Voskhod rocket, a Soviet launch vehicle.
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 04791.
- **Mission Type**: Photographic reconnaissance for military intelligence.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Cosmos 384 launched?
A: Cosmos 384 was launched on December 10, 1970, at 11:10:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41.

### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 384?
A: It was a Zenit 2M spy satellite designed to conduct photographic surveillance for Soviet military intelligence during the Cold War.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 384?
A: The satellite was deployed using a Voskhod launch vehicle, a Soviet rocket system.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 384 represents a typical yet vital component of the Soviet Union's space-based reconnaissance program during the Cold War. As part of the Zenit 2M series, it contributed to the systematic gathering of photographic intelligence, which was critical for military strategy and geopolitical decision-making. Its launch via the Voskhod rocket underscores the Soviet reliance on proven technologies for satellite deployment, reflecting the broader context of the space race and the militarization of space. While individual Zenit missions like Cosmos 384 were not publicly highlighted, their cumulative role in intelligence operations was significant in maintaining Soviet strategic capabilities.

## Notable For
- **Zenit 2M Class Membership**: Part of a widely used Soviet spy satellite series known for photographic reconnaissance.
- **Voskhod Launch Vehicle**: Utilized a rocket system that supported both crewed and uncrewed Soviet space missions.
- **Cold War Surveillance**: Played a role in the Soviet Union's intelligence efforts during a period of heightened geopolitical tensions.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date and Time**: December 10, 1970, at 11:10:00 UTC.
- **Location**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41, a key Soviet launch facility.
- **Rocket**: Voskhod, a launch vehicle derived from the earlier R-7 rocket family.

### Satellite Specifications
- **Class**: Zenit 2M, a second-generation Soviet reconnaissance satellite.
- **Mission**: Equipped for photographic surveillance, returning film capsules to Earth for analysis.
- **Identifiers**:
  - **COSPAR ID**: 1970-105A.
  - **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 04791.

### Mission Context
- **Historical Significance**: Part of the broader Zenit program, which conducted thousands of reconnaissance missions between 1961 and 1996.
- **Geopolitical Role**: Supported Soviet military intelligence during the Cold War, contributing to strategic oversight of adversary activities.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report