# Cosmos 488
**Wikidata**: [Q12907722](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907722)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-488

## Summary
Cosmos 488 (also known as Kosmos 488) was a Soviet spacecraft launched on May 5, 1972, designated as part of the Zenit-4MK class. It was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Voskhod launch vehicle. The mission is identified by the international designation 1972-034A and the satellite catalog number 06016.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Cosmos 488 is an instance of the **Zenit-4MK** class of spacecraft.
*   **Launch Date:** The mission launched on **May 5, 1972**.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** It was propelled by a **Voskhod** rocket (a Russian launch vehicle).
*   **Launch Site:** The launch originated from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4**.
*   **Launch Time:** The significant event (rocket launch) occurred at **11:20:00**.
*   **Identifiers:** The entity holds the COSPAR ID **1972-034A** and Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) **06016**.
*   **Aliases:** It is also known as **Kosmos 488**.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of spacecraft was Cosmos 488?
A: Cosmos 488 was a spacecraft of the Zenit-4MK class. It was launched as part of the Soviet Cosmos program.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 488 launched?
A: The spacecraft was launched on May 5, 1972, at 11:20:00 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 488?
A: Cosmos 488 was launched using a Voskhod launch vehicle, a Russian rocket used during the Soviet era.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 488 serves as a specific historical data point within the timeline of the Soviet space program, illustrating the operational deployment of the Zenit-4MK satellite class. Launched in the spring of 1972, this mission highlights the extensive use of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, specifically Site 43/4, for orbital deployments during the Cold War.

The mission is significant for tracking the utilization of the Voskhod launch vehicle, which acted as a bridge between earlier Soviet rocket technologies and later operational needs. By cataloging specifics such as the precise launch time (11:20:00) and the satellite catalog number (06016), Cosmos 488 helps space historians and analysts reconstruct the frequency and capacity of Soviet space launches during this era. Its designation as "Cosmos" follows the standard Soviet practice of classifying a wide array of military and scientific satellites under a single, generalized program name, of which Cosmos 488 was a numbered participant.

## Notable For
*   **Specific Hardware Configuration:** Identified specifically as a Zenit-4MK class vehicle.
*   **Precise Launch Event:** Recorded with a precise launch time of 11:20:00 on May 5, 1972.
*   **Launch Infrastructure:** Utilized Site 43/4 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a critical Soviet launch complex.
*   **Dual-Use Nomenclature:** Part of the "Cosmos" (or Kosmos) series, a generic designation used by the Soviet Union for a vast number of satellites.

## Body

### Mission Profile
Cosmos 488 was launched under the administrative identification of Kosmos 488. The mission represents a specific instance of the Zenit-4MK spacecraft class. The launch took place on May 5, 1972, marking the successful insertion of the payload into its intended trajectory at 11:20:00.

### Launch Details
The mission utilized the Voskhod launch vehicle, a Russian rocket system associated with the Soviet Union. The launch originated from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, specifically from Site 43/4. This site was a frequent hub for Soviet satellite launches during this period.

### Technical Identifiers
In international space cataloging, Cosmos 488 is defined by the following identifiers:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1972-034A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 06016

These identifiers distinguish the specific mission and associated hardware from other launches occurring in 1972.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report