# Cosmos 464
**Wikidata**: [Q12907713](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907713)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-464

## Summary  
Cosmos 464 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched in 1971 as part of the Zenit-4M class, designed for photographic intelligence gathering. It was deployed via a Voskhod rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, contributing to the Soviet Union's Cold War-era space-based surveillance efforts.  

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: December 10, 1971  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1971-108A  
- **Spacecraft Class**: Zenit-4M (film-return reconnaissance satellite)  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Voskhod (Soviet launch vehicle)  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43  
- **SCN**: 05670  
- **Significant Event**: Launched at 11:00:00 UTC on December 10, 1971  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 464?  
A: Cosmos 464 was a reconnaissance satellite used for photographic intelligence gathering as part of the Soviet Union's Zenit-4M program.  

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 464 launched?  
A: It launched on December 10, 1971, at 11:00:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43 in the Soviet Union.  

### Q: What type of rocket was used to launch Cosmos 464?  
A: The satellite was deployed using a Voskhod launch vehicle, a Soviet rocket designed for both crewed and uncrewed missions.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 464 represents a key component of the Soviet Union’s military reconnaissance efforts during the Cold War. As part of the Zenit-4M series, it utilized a film-return system to capture high-resolution imagery, providing critical intelligence to support strategic decision-making. Its launch via the Voskhod rocket underscores the adaptability of Soviet space technology, repurposing crewed spacecraft launchers for military satellite deployments. This mission reflects the broader geopolitical competition of the era, where space-based surveillance played a pivotal role in global security dynamics.  

## Notable For  
- **Reconnaissance Role**: Part of the Zenit-4M class, optimized for high-altitude photographic surveillance.  
- **Voskhod Launch Vehicle**: Demonstrated the dual-use capability of the Voskhod rocket for military payloads.  
- **Plesetsk Cosmodrome**: Launched from a strategic northern site, enabling polar orbits for global coverage.  
- **Cold War Context**: Contributed to the Soviet Union’s intelligence-gathering infrastructure during a period of heightened geopolitical tension.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date/Time**: December 10, 1971, at 11:00:00 UTC.  
- **Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43, a primary Soviet launch facility for military satellites.  
- **Vehicle**: Voskhod rocket (variant used for uncrewed satellite deployments).  

### Spacecraft Class  
- **Zenit-4M**: A film-return reconnaissance satellite system, requiring capsules to be physically recovered after exposing photographic film.  
- **Function**: High-resolution imaging for military intelligence, with an orbital regime tailored for global coverage.  

### Mission Context  
- **Program**: Part of the broader Zenit series, which conducted thousands of reconnaissance missions between 1961 and 1996.  
- **Operational Period**: Typical Zenit-4M missions lasted approximately 14 days, after which the film capsule was deorbited for recovery.  

### Legacy  
- **Historical Significance**: Emblematic of the Soviet Union’s reliance on space-based reconnaissance during the Cold War.  
- **Technical Lineage**: The Voskhod rocket’s use for satellite launches highlighted the Soviet approach to repurposing existing technology for military applications.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report