# Cosmos 596
**Wikidata**: [Q12753915](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753915)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-596

## Summary
Cosmos 596 was a Soviet Zenit 2M spy satellite launched on October 3, 1973, from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41 using a Voskhod rocket. It was part of the Soviet military reconnaissance program.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** October 3, 1973
- **COSPAR ID:** 1973-070A
- **Serial Number:** 06856
- **Launch Vehicle:** Voskhod
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41
- **Satellite Class:** Zenit 2M
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 596
- **Wikipedia Languages Available:** Macedonian (mk), Russian (ru), Serbo-Croatian (sh), Serbian (sr)

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 596?
A: Cosmos 596 was a Soviet spy satellite, specifically a Zenit 2M satellite designed for military reconnaissance missions, likely gathering imagery intelligence.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 596 launched?
A: It was launched on October 3, 1973, at 13:00:00 (local time) from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41 using a Voskhod launch vehicle.

### Q: What is the significance of its COSPAR ID "1973-070A"?
A: The COSPAR ID "1973-070A" uniquely identifies this satellite as the first object launched into orbit in 1973; the "A" denotes the primary payload of that launch.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 596 exemplifies the Soviet Union's extensive and sophisticated military reconnaissance satellite program during the Cold War. Launched in 1973, it represents a critical capability in gathering intelligence on adversaries, a cornerstone of Cold War strategic balance. These Zenit 2M satellites provided vital visual intelligence that supported military planning and decision-making, contributing significantly to national security operations. The operational deployment of such spacecraft underscored the ongoing technological competition between superpowers and the importance of space-based surveillance in global politics and military strategy.

## Notable For
- **Zenit 2M Class:** Being specifically classified as a Zenit 2M satellite, a type known for Soviet spy satellite missions.
- **Voskhod Launch:** Utilizing a Voskhod launch vehicle, a variant of the R-7 Semyorka rocket family, for its orbital insertion.
- **Plesetsk Launch:** Launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41, a primary Soviet launch site for military satellites.

## Body
### Mission Overview
- Cosmos 596 was a Soviet military satellite launched on October 3, 1973.
- Its launch occurred at 13:00:00 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41.
- It was inserted into orbit using a Voskhod launch vehicle.
- The satellite was designated as part of the Cosmos satellite series.
- Its primary purpose was reconnaissance, consistent with its Zenit 2M class.

### Identification
- **Serial Number:** 06856
- **COSPAR ID:** 1973-070A
- **Aliases:** Kosmos 596
- **Wikipedia Presence:** Articles exist in Macedonian, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian.

### Technical Details
- **Satellite Class:** Zenit 2M
- **Launch Vehicle:** Voskhod
- **Launch Site:** Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41
- **Launch Date:** October 3, 1973
- **Launch Time:** 13:00:00 (at the launch site)
- **Mission Type:** Rocket Launch / Reconnaissance Satellite

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report