# Cosmos 519
**Wikidata**: [Q12753882](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753882)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-519

## Summary
Cosmos 519 was a Soviet satellite launched on September 16, 1972, as part of the Zenit-4M program. It was deployed from the Baikonur Cosmodrome using a Voskhod launch vehicle. The mission represents one of many reconnaissance satellites developed during the Cold War era under the Cosmos designation.

## Key Facts
- Official name: Cosmos 519
- Alternate name: Kosmos 519
- COSPAR ID: 1972-071A
- Launch date: September 16, 1972
- Launch time: 08:20:00 UTC
- Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31
- Launch vehicle: Voskhod
- Spacecraft class: Zenit-4M
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- SCN (Spacecraft Number): 06188

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 519?
A: Cosmos 519 was a Zenit-4M reconnaissance satellite used by the Soviet Union for military intelligence gathering. These missions typically involved optical surveillance and electronic intelligence collection.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 519 launched?
A: Cosmos 519 was launched on September 16, 1972, at 08:20:00 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 in Kazakhstan. It was placed into orbit using a Voskhod rocket.

### Q: How is Cosmos 519 classified within the Soviet space program?
A: Cosmos 519 is categorized as a Zenit-4M satellite, which was a variant of the Zenit series designed for high-resolution photo-reconnaissance. It was part of the broader Cosmos program that encompassed various experimental and operational satellites.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 519 exemplifies the extensive Soviet efforts in developing space-based reconnaissance capabilities during the height of the Cold War. As part of the Zenit-4M program, it contributed to the USSR's strategic intelligence operations through orbital surveillance. Its launch reflects the technological competition between superpowers and underscores the dual-use nature of space technology—advancing both civilian and military objectives. Understanding missions like Cosmos 519 provides insight into historical geopolitical dynamics and the evolution of modern satellite systems.

## Notable For
- Being part of the Zenit-4M reconnaissance satellite series
- Launching aboard a Voskhod-class booster, demonstrating versatility in Soviet launch platforms
- Representing the continued expansion of the Cosmos program throughout the 1970s
- Contributing to the Soviet Union’s global intelligence-gathering infrastructure via space
- Reflecting the standardization of Soviet satellite naming conventions under the “Kosmos” umbrella

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 519 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched during the Cold War period. It belonged to the Zenit-4M subclass, known for their advanced imaging payloads intended for military use.

### Technical Classification
The spacecraft was designated as an instance of the Zenit-4M class, indicating its role in photographic reconnaissance with improved resolution compared to earlier variants. This classification places it among specialized intelligence-collection assets operated by the Soviet Union.

### Launch Details
The launch occurred on **September 16, 1972**, at **08:20:00 UTC** from **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31**. A **Voskhod** launch vehicle carried the payload into orbit, marking another successful deployment in the Cosmos program.

### Program Context
As part of the larger Cosmos program, Cosmos 519 followed a standardized nomenclature applied to numerous Soviet satellites. Its numerical identifier (SCN: 06188) helps distinguish it within official registries and tracking databases.

### Historical Significance
This mission highlights the scale and frequency of Soviet space activities during the 1970s, particularly those involving classified military applications. Like other Zenit-class missions, Cosmos 519 played a behind-the-scenes but critical role in national security strategy.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report