# Cosmos 429
**Wikidata**: [Q12753845](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753845)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-429

## Summary  
Cosmos 429 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched in 1971 as part of the Zenit-4M series, designed for photo surveillance. It was deployed using a Voskhod rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome, contributing to the Soviet Union's Cold War-era space-based intelligence efforts.  

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: July 20, 1971, at 10:00:00 UTC.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1971-061A.  
- **Satellite Class**: Zenit-4M, a Soviet photo reconnaissance spacecraft.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Voskhod (R-7 family), a Soviet rocket.  
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.  
- **SCN**: 05331.  
- **Mission Type**: Military reconnaissance for the Soviet Union.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 429?  
A: Cosmos 429 was a military reconnaissance satellite used for photo surveillance as part of the Soviet Union's intelligence-gathering efforts during the Cold War.  

### Q: How was Cosmos 429 launched?  
A: It was launched aboard a Voskhod rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 on July 20, 1971.  

### Q: What class of satellite was Cosmos 429?  
A: It belonged to the Zenit-4M class, a series of Soviet spacecraft designed for photographic reconnaissance.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 429 represents a key component of the Soviet Union's space-based reconnaissance program during the Cold War. As part of the Zenit-4M series, it exemplified the technological rivalry of the era, providing critical photographic intelligence. Its launch on a Voskhod rocket underscores the adaptability of Soviet launch systems, which were derived from the R-7 intercontinental ballistic missile. Satellites like Cosmos 429 played a foundational role in advancing satellite imagery capabilities, influencing modern Earth observation technologies.  

## Notable For  
- **Reconnaissance Role**: Part of the Zenit-4M series, optimized for high-resolution photo surveillance.  
- **Voskhod Launch Vehicle**: Demonstrated the Soviet Union's use of modified R-7 rockets for satellite deployments.  
- **Cold War Context**: Contributed to intelligence-gathering efforts amid geopolitical tensions.  
- **Baikonur Launch Site**: Utilized the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome, a cornerstone of Soviet space operations.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date/Time**: July 20, 1971, at 10:00:00 UTC.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Voskhod (a variant of the R-7 rocket family).  
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31, a frequently used Soviet launch pad.  

### Spacecraft Specifications  
- **Class**: Zenit-4M, a military reconnaissance satellite.  
- **SCN**: 05331 (Satellite Catalog Number).  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1971-061A, an international designation for Earth-orbiting objects.  

### Mission Context  
- **Purpose**: Conduct photographic surveillance for military intelligence.  
- **Historical Significance**: Part of the broader Zenit program, which included numerous satellites launched between 1961 and 1996.  
- **Operational Period**: Typical Zenit-4M missions lasted approximately 14 days, after which the spacecraft returned film capsules to Earth.  

### Legacy  
- **Wikipedia Coverage**: Documented in Hungarian, Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian language editions.  
- **Knowledge Graph ID**: /g/121mdx08 (Google Knowledge Graph identifier).  
- **Sitelink Count**: 4, reflecting limited but specific online references.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report