# Cosmos 403
**Wikidata**: [Q12753833](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753833)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-403

## Summary
Cosmos 403 was a Soviet Zenit 2M reconnaissance satellite launched on April 2, 1971, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It was part of the USSR's military space program and used for intelligence-gathering purposes. The satellite was launched aboard a Voskhod rocket and assigned the COSPAR ID 1971-026A.

## Key Facts
- Official designation: Cosmos 403
- Alternate name: Kosmos 403
- Launch date: April 2, 1971
- Launch time: 08:20:00 UTC
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43
- Launch vehicle: Voskhod
- Satellite class: Zenit 2M (Soviet spy satellite)
- COSPAR ID: 1971-026A
- SCN code: 05108
- Wikipedia languages with articles: Hungarian (hu), Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), Serbian (sr)

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 403?
A: Cosmos 403 was a Zenit 2M reconnaissance satellite designed for military surveillance and intelligence collection by the Soviet Union. It was part of a broader program of optical reconnaissance satellites operated during the Cold War era.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 403 launched?
A: Cosmos 403 was launched on April 2, 1971, at 08:20:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43 in the Soviet Union. The launch utilized a Voskhod-series launch vehicle.

### Q: How is Cosmos 403 classified within the Soviet satellite program?
A: Cosmos 403 is classified as a Zenit 2M satellite, which was a type of second-generation Soviet optical reconnaissance satellite. These satellites were developed to replace earlier Zenit models and offered improved imaging capabilities.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 403 represents one segment of the Soviet Union’s extensive use of space-based reconnaissance during the Cold War. As part of the Zenit 2M program, it contributed to the USSR's strategic intelligence efforts through high-resolution imagery of foreign territories. Its deployment reflects the technological competition between superpowers and underscores how space became a critical domain for national security operations. Understanding missions like Cosmos 403 provides insight into historical espionage methods and the evolution of satellite technology.

## Notable For
- Being part of the Zenit 2M class, an upgraded generation of Soviet photo-reconnaissance satellites
- Launching via the versatile Voskhod launch system, typically associated with crewed missions but also adapted for military payloads
- Assigned SCN code 05108, used in tracking databases such as Wolfram Alpha
- Having multilingual documentation across Eastern European Wikipedia editions, indicating regional interest or involvement
- Representing a standard mission profile within the Soviet military space program of the early 1970s

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 403 was a Soviet military reconnaissance satellite belonging to the Zenit 2M series. These satellites were successors to the original Zenit designs and incorporated improvements in resolution and film-return systems.

### Technical Classification
The spacecraft was categorized under the Zenit 2M class, known for their dual-use design enabling both Earth observation and electronic intelligence gathering. This model featured enhanced camera optics compared to previous iterations.

### Launch Details
- **Date**: April 2, 1971  
- **Time**: 08:20:00 UTC  
- **Location**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 43  
- **Vehicle**: Voskhod (a modified version originally built for human spaceflight)  

This marked another routine deployment in the USSR’s ongoing effort to maintain orbital surveillance assets throughout the Cold War period.

### Identification Codes
- **COSPAR ID**: 1971-026A  
- **SCN Code**: 05108  
These identifiers have been referenced in global satellite tracking databases and academic sources, confirming its catalogued status post-launch.

### Operational Context
As part of the broader Cosmos program—a cover-all designation for many Soviet satellites—Cosmos 403 followed established protocols for orbital insertion and mission execution typical of Zenit-class missions. While specific operational outcomes remain classified, these satellites played key roles in geopolitical monitoring during the 1970s.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report