# Cosmos 518
**Wikidata**: [Q12907731](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907731)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-518

## Summary
Cosmos 518 is a Soviet spy satellite belonging to the Zenit 2M class, launched on September 15, 1972, from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 using a Voskhod launch vehicle. It was assigned the COSPAR ID 1972-070A and SCN 06186 as part of the Soviet space program's reconnaissance efforts.

## Key Facts
- Cosmos 518 is an instance of the Zenit 2M class of Soviet spy satellites
- It was launched on September 15, 1972
- The launch occurred at 09:40:00 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4
- It was launched using a Voskhod launch vehicle
- Its COSPAR ID is 1972-070A
- Its SCN is 06186
- It has 3 sitelinks across different language Wikipedias (Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, Serbian)
- It is also known by the alias "Kosmos 518"

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 518?
A: Cosmos 518 was a Soviet spy satellite belonging to the Zenit 2M class, designed for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering missions as part of the Soviet space program.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 518 launched?
A: Cosmos 518 was launched on September 15, 1972, at 09:40:00 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 using a Voskhod launch vehicle.

### Q: What is the technical classification of Cosmos 518?
A: Cosmos 518 is classified as an instance of the Zenit 2M class of satellites, which were Soviet reconnaissance spacecraft used for intelligence operations.

### Q: What identifiers are associated with Cosmos 518?
A: Cosmos 518 has the COSPAR ID 1972-070A and SCN 06186. It is also known by the alias "Kosmos 518".

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 518 represents an important component of Soviet space reconnaissance capabilities during the Cold War era. As part of the Zenit 2M class, it contributed to the Soviet Union's intelligence gathering efforts, providing critical data for national security and military strategy. The successful launch and operation of Cosmos 518 demonstrated the reliability and advancement of Soviet space technology, particularly in the Voskhod launch system and Plesetsk Cosmodrome infrastructure. This satellite, along with others in the Cosmos series, helped establish patterns of space-based reconnaissance that would influence future developments in satellite technology and international relations.

## Notable For
- Part of the Zenit 2M class, a specialized series of Soviet reconnaissance satellites
- Launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4, one of the northernmost spaceports in the world
- Utilized the Voskhod launch vehicle, an important workhorse in the Soviet space program
- Assigned the COSPAR ID 1972-070A, indicating its position in the international registry of space objects

## Body
### Basic Information
Cosmos 518 is a Soviet spy satellite belonging to the Zenit 2M class. It was launched on September 15, 1972, at 09:40:00 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 using a Voskhod launch vehicle. The satellite is also known by the alias "Kosmos 518" and has been assigned the COSPAR ID 1972-070A and SCN 06186.

### Technical Specifications
- Instance of: Zenit 2M class
- Launch vehicle: Voskhod
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4
- Launch date: September 15, 1972
- Launch time: 09:40:00
- COSPAR ID: 1972-070A
- SCN: 06186

### Related Entities
- Zenit 2M: The class of satellite to which Cosmos 518 belongs
- Voskhod: Both a Soviet launch vehicle and a series of Soviet crewed spacecraft
- Plesetsk Cosmodrome: The launch site for Cosmos 518

### Documentation
Cosmos 518 has documentation in three languages on Wikipedia: Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr). It has a total of 3 sitelinks across these language versions.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report