# Cosmos 522
**Wikidata**: [Q12753883](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753883)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-522

## Summary
Cosmos 522 was a Soviet spacecraft launched on October 4, 1972, designated under the Kosmos program. Classified as a Zenit-4M satellite, it was launched aboard a Voskhod rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It is identified internationally by the COSPAR ID 1972-077A.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 522 is an instance of the Zenit-4M class of spacecraft.
- **Launch Date:** The spacecraft was launched on October 4, 1972.
- **Launch Time:** The specific launch time was 12:00:02.
- **Launch Site:** It launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41.
- **Launch Vehicle:** The mission utilized a Voskhod rocket, a Russian launch vehicle associated with the Soviet Union.
- **COSPAR ID:** Its international satellite designator is 1972-077A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** It holds the SatCat number 06219.
- **Aliases:** It is also known as Kosmos 522.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 522?
A: Cosmos 522 was a Zenit-4M type spacecraft. This classification is derived from its structural and functional properties as recorded in space documentation.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 522 launched?
A: The spacecraft was launched on October 4, 1972, at 12:00:02 UTC. It lifted off from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 522?
A: Cosmos 522 was launched using a Voskhod launch vehicle. This rocket is categorized as a Russian launch vehicle used during the Soviet era.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 522 serves as a representative example of the Soviet Union's extensive space program during the Cold War, specifically illustrating the operational deployment of the Zenit-4M satellite series. Its launch in 1972 highlights the sustained usage of the Voskhod launch vehicle and the strategic importance of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome (Site 41) during this period. By cataloging this mission under the broader Kosmos designation (a standard practice for Soviet military and scientific satellites), the mission contributes to the historical record of spaceflight activity managed by entities like Wikidata and academic space sources. The precise tracking data, including the exact second of launch and its specific COSPAR ID (1972-077A), ensures the satellite remains a distinct entity in orbital debris and space history databases.

## Notable For
- **Zenit-4M Classification:** It is a distinct instance of the Zenit-4M spacecraft class.
- **Precise Launch Data:** The mission includes precise timekeeping data, recorded to the exact second (12:00:02).
- **Voskhod Rocket Integration:** It utilized the Voskhod launch vehicle, linking it to the lineage of both Russian launch vehicles and Soviet crewed spacecraft series.
- **Plesetsk Site 41 Operations:** It marks a specific launch event at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41 facility.

## Body
### Identity and Designation
Cosmos 522 is a space entity primarily identified by its COSPAR ID, 1972-077A, and its Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 06219. While designated "Cosmos" (or "Kosmos"), a name used for a wide array of Soviet satellites, the specific class for this entry is the Zenit-4M. This classification links the satellite to a specific lineage of spacecraft technology utilized by the Soviet Union.

### Mission Profile
The defining event for this entity was its rocket launch on October 4, 1972. This event was time-stamped with high precision at 12:00:02.

### Launch Infrastructure
The mission relied on two key hardware components:
*   **Launch Vehicle:** A Voskhod rocket. The Voskhod is noted in related records as both a Russian launch vehicle and a series of Soviet crewed spacecraft.
*   **Launch Location:** The mission originated from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41, a specific launch complex within the major Russian spaceport.

### Administrative Context
Records indicate the entity is linked to the Soviet Union via its launch vehicle and class lineage. It possesses sitelinks across several Wikipedia languages (mk, sh, sr), reflecting its documentation in regional databases. The sitelink count is recorded as 3.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report