# Cosmos 552
**Wikidata**: [Q13566877](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566877)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-552

## Summary
Cosmos 552 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched in 1973 as part of the Zenit 2M spy satellite program. It was deployed using a Voskhod rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome to conduct photographic surveillance, supporting Soviet military intelligence efforts during the Cold War.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: March 22, 1973
- **COSPAR ID**: 1973-016A
- **Satellite Class**: Zenit 2M (Soviet spy satellite)
- **Launch Vehicle**: Voskhod (Soviet launch vehicle)
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4
- **SCN**: 06394
- **Mission Type**: Photographic reconnaissance

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 552?
A: Cosmos 552 was a Soviet spy satellite designed for photographic reconnaissance, gathering intelligence to support military and strategic operations during the Cold War.

### Q: How was Cosmos 552 launched?
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Voskhod rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 on March 22, 1973, at 10:00:00 UTC.

### Q: What class of satellite was Cosmos 552?
A: It belonged to the Zenit 2M class, a series of Soviet reconnaissance satellites used for Earth observation and intelligence-gathering missions.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 552 represents a key component of the Soviet Union’s space-based reconnaissance efforts during the Cold War. As part of the Zenit 2M program, it exemplified the strategic use of satellite technology for military intelligence, enabling the Soviet Union to monitor adversaries and assess geopolitical situations. Its launch on a Voskhod rocket also highlighted the reliability of Soviet launch systems for deploying sensitive payloads. While individual Zenit missions like Cosmos 552 were not publicly detailed, their collective role underscored the critical intersection of space technology and national security during this era.

## Notable For
- **Reconnaissance Mission**: Conducted photographic surveillance to support Soviet military intelligence.
- **Voskhod Rocket Deployment**: Utilized a launch vehicle also associated with crewed spaceflight programs, demonstrating its dual-use capability.
- **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Launch**: Part of a broader pattern of Soviet satellite launches from this strategic Arctic facility.
- **Zenit 2M Class Membership**: Contributed to a prolific series of spy satellites that formed the backbone of Soviet space-based espionage.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date/Time**: March 22, 1973, at 10:00:00 UTC
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4, a remote Arctic facility used for military and civilian launches.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Voskhod (rocket), a derivative of the R-7 family adapted for satellite deployments.

### Spacecraft Specifications
- **Class**: Zenit 2M, a second-generation Soviet reconnaissance satellite.
- **Function**: Equipped for high-altitude photographic reconnaissance using film capsules returned to Earth via re-entry vehicles.

### Mission Context
- **Purpose**: To gather visual intelligence on military installations, troop movements, and infrastructure in rival nations.
- **Historical Significance**: Operated during a period of heightened Cold War tensions, reflecting the Soviet Union’s reliance on space assets for strategic advantage.

### Legacy
- **Program Impact**: The Zenit 2M series, including Cosmos 552, laid groundwork for later Soviet and Russian reconnaissance systems.
- **Documentation**: Referenced in aerospace databases (SCN 06394, COSPAR 1973-016A) and select Wikipedia language editions (Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, Serbian).

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report