# Cosmos 559
**Wikidata**: [Q376450](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q376450)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-559

## Summary
Cosmos 559 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched on May 18, 1973, using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43. It belonged to the Zenit-4MK class of satellites designed for intelligence gathering missions.

## Key Facts
- Cosmos 559 (also known as Kosmos 559) was launched on May 18, 1973
- It was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43 at 11:00:02
- The satellite was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket
- Cosmos 559 belongs to the Zenit-4MK class of satellites
- Its COSPAR ID is 1973-030A
- Its SCN is 06647
- It has 4 sitelinks across different language Wikipedias (Hungarian, Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, Serbian)
- The satellite was developed by the Soviet Union

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 559?
A: Cosmos 559 was a reconnaissance satellite belonging to the Zenit-4MK class, designed for Earth observation and intelligence gathering missions for the Soviet Union.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 559 launched?
A: Cosmos 559 was launched on May 18, 1973, at 11:00:02 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43 using a Soyuz-U rocket as the launch vehicle.

### Q: What is the technical classification of Cosmos 559?
A: Cosmos 559 is classified as a Zenit-4MK satellite, which was a series of Soviet reconnaissance satellites used for photographic intelligence missions.

### Q: How can Cosmos 559 be identified in space tracking databases?
A: Cosmos 559 can be identified by its COSPAR ID 1973-030A and its SCN 06647 in space tracking and satellite catalog databases.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 559 represents an important component of the Soviet Union's space reconnaissance program during the Cold War era. As part of the Zenit-4MK class, it contributed to the Soviet capability for monitoring global activities, gathering intelligence, and supporting military operations. These reconnaissance satellites played a crucial role in national security and strategic decision-making for the Soviet government. The successful launch and operation of Cosmos 559 demonstrated the reliability of the Soyuz-U launch vehicle and the Zenit-4MK satellite platform, which were workhorses of the Soviet space program.

## Notable For
- Part of the Zenit-4MK class, a specialized series of Soviet reconnaissance satellites
- Launched using the reliable Soyuz-U rocket variant, which became a workhorse of the Soviet space program
- One of the Cosmos series satellites, which encompassed a wide variety of Soviet military and civilian spacecraft
- Has documentation in multiple language Wikipedias, indicating international recognition and historical significance

## Body
### Basic Information
Cosmos 559, also known as Kosmos 559, was a Soviet satellite launched on May 18, 1973. It belongs to the Zenit-4MK class of reconnaissance satellites. The satellite was assigned the COSPAR ID 1973-030A and the SCN 06647 for tracking and identification purposes.

### Launch Details
The launch of Cosmos 559 took place at 11:00:02 on May 18, 1973. It was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43, a major Soviet spaceport. The launch vehicle used was a Soyuz-U, a universal variant of the Soyuz rocket design developed by the Soviet Union.

### Technical Classification
Cosmos 559 is classified as an instance of the Zenit-4MK class. The Zenit-4MK series was specifically designed for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering missions. These satellites were part of the broader Cosmos series, which included various types of Soviet military and civilian spacecraft.

### Documentation and Recognition
Cosmos 559 has documentation in four different language Wikipedias: Hungarian (hu), Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr). This multilingual documentation indicates the satellite's historical significance and international recognition. It also has a Google Knowledge Graph ID (/g/121gvdfw) for enhanced searchability and knowledge organization.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report