# Cosmos 490
**Wikidata**: [Q12753871](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753871)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-490

## Summary
Cosmos 490 was a Soviet Zenit 2M reconnaissance satellite launched on May 17, 1972, 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 is also known by its alternative designation, Kosmos 490.

## Key Facts
- Official name: Cosmos 490 (alias: Kosmos 490)
- Alternate identifier: COSPAR ID 1972-036A
- Launch date: May 17, 1972
- Launch time: 10:19:59 UTC
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43
- Launch vehicle: Voskhod
- Satellite class: Zenit 2M (Soviet spy satellite)
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- Wikidata item count (sitelinks): 3

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 490?
A: Cosmos 490 was a Zenit 2M reconnaissance satellite used by the Soviet Union for military intelligence gathering. It was designed to collect visual and electronic surveillance data from orbit.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 490 launched?
A: Cosmos 490 was launched on May 17, 1972, at 10:19:59 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43 in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What kind of rocket launched Cosmos 490?
A: Cosmos 490 was launched using a Voskhod launch vehicle, which was developed by the Soviet Union for orbital missions.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 490 represents a key component of the Cold War-era Soviet space-based reconnaissance effort. As part of the Zenit 2M program, it contributed to the USSR’s ability to monitor global activities from space, particularly during a period of heightened geopolitical tension. These satellites played a critical role in strategic intelligence operations and demonstrated the USSR's advanced capabilities in space technology and surveillance. Its successful deployment underscored the importance of orbital reconnaissance systems in national defense strategies during the 20th century.

## Notable For
- Being part of the classified Zenit 2M military satellite program
- Launched during the height of Cold War intelligence competition between superpowers
- Utilized the reliable but less commonly used Voskhod launch system
- Operated under the dual naming convention of “Cosmos” — typical for Soviet military launches
- Represents one of many successful Soviet efforts to maintain orbital surveillance capability

## Body

### Mission Overview
Cosmos 490 was a Soviet military reconnaissance satellite belonging to the Zenit 2M class. Satellites in this category were primarily tasked with optical intelligence collection, capturing high-resolution imagery of terrestrial targets for analysis by Soviet military agencies.

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched on **May 17, 1972**, at **10:19:59 UTC** from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43**, located in the Arkhangelsk Oblast of the Soviet Union. The mission employed the **Voskhod** launch vehicle, a modified version of earlier Soviet rockets adapted for improved payload delivery into low Earth orbit.

### Technical Classification
As a member of the **Zenit 2M** series, Cosmos 490 was designed specifically for photo-reconnaissance purposes. These satellites typically returned film capsules to Earth after completing their imaging tasks, allowing analysts to process physical photographic materials rather than relying solely on radio-transmitted data.

### Naming Convention
Like other Soviet military satellites, Cosmos 490 was publicly identified under the generic "Kosmos" designation, which was routinely applied to various classified payloads launched by the USSR. Internationally, it is catalogued under the COSPAR ID **1972-036A**.

### Historical Context
Launched during the early 1970s, Cosmos 490 reflects the ongoing arms race and technological escalation between the United States and the Soviet Union. Reconnaissance satellites such as those in the Zenit program enabled both nations to gather vital strategic information without violating international airspace laws, making them essential tools of Cold War espionage.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report