# Cosmos 431
**Wikidata**: [Q12907705](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907705)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-431

## Summary
Cosmos 431 was a Soviet spy satellite launched on July 30, 1971, as part of the Zenit 2M program. It was deployed from the Baikonur Cosmodrome using a Voskhod launch vehicle, marking a significant mission in the Soviet Union's reconnaissance satellite fleet.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: July 30, 1971
- **Launch Vehicle**: Voskhod
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31
- **Satellite Class**: Zenit 2M
- **COSPAR ID**: 1971-065A
- **Country of Origin**: Soviet Union
- **Significant Event**: Rocket launch at 08:29:54 UTC on July 30, 1971
- **Wikipedia Availability**: Available in Hungarian, Macedonian, Serbian, and Serbo-Croatian

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 431?
A: Cosmos 431 was a Zenit 2M spy satellite, part of the Soviet Union's reconnaissance satellite program.

### Q: Which launch vehicle was used to deploy Cosmos 431?
A: The satellite was launched using a Voskhod rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.

### Q: When was Cosmos 431 launched?
A: Cosmos 431 was launched on July 30, 1971, at 08:29:54 UTC.

### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 431?
A: Cosmos 431 was a Soviet spy satellite designed for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.

### Q: Where was Cosmos 431 launched from?
A: The satellite was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 in the Soviet Union.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 431 represents a key mission in the Soviet Union's Zenit 2M satellite program, contributing to the country's reconnaissance capabilities. Launched during the Cold War, it played a role in the broader effort to maintain surveillance and intelligence dominance. The mission highlights the Soviet Union's advancements in space-based reconnaissance technology, utilizing the Voskhod launch vehicle to deploy the satellite into orbit. While specific details about its operational success or failures are not provided, its inclusion in the Zenit series underscores its significance as part of a larger Soviet reconnaissance satellite fleet.

## Notable For
- **First Zenit 2M Mission**: One of the earliest launches in the Zenit 2M series, demonstrating the program's early capabilities.
- **Voskhod Launch Vehicle**: Utilized the Voskhod rocket, a reliable Soviet launch system for reconnaissance satellites.
- **Cold War Surveillance**: Contributed to the Soviet Union's intelligence-gathering efforts during the Cold War era.
- **Baikonur Deployment**: Launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31, a key Soviet spaceport for military and reconnaissance missions.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 431 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched on July 30, 1971, as part of the Zenit 2M program. The satellite was deployed using a Voskhod launch vehicle from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31, marking a significant mission in the Soviet Union's spy satellite fleet.

### Technical Specifications
- **Satellite Class**: Zenit 2M
- **Launch Vehicle**: Voskhod
- **Launch Date**: July 30, 1971
- **Launch Time**: 08:29:54 UTC
- **COSPAR ID**: 1971-065A

### Significance
Cosmos 431 played a role in the Soviet Union's reconnaissance efforts, contributing to its intelligence capabilities during the Cold War. The mission highlights the Soviet Union's advancements in space-based surveillance technology, utilizing the Voskhod launch vehicle to deploy the satellite into orbit. While specific details about its operational success or failures are not provided, its inclusion in the Zenit series underscores its significance as part of a larger Soviet reconnaissance satellite fleet.

### Related Programs
- **Zenit 2M**: A series of Soviet spy satellites, with Cosmos 431 being one of its missions.
- **Voskhod**: A Soviet launch vehicle used for deploying reconnaissance satellites, including Cosmos 431.
- **Voskhod Spacecraft**: A series of Soviet crewed spacecraft, though not directly related to Cosmos 431's mission.

### Wikipedia Availability
Cosmos 431's Wikipedia page is available in Hungarian, Macedonian, Serbian, and Serbo-Croatian, reflecting its international interest and documentation.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report