# Cosmos 629
**Wikidata**: [Q12907757](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907757)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-629

## Summary
Cosmos 629 was a Soviet Zenit 2M reconnaissance satellite launched on January 24, 1974, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It was part of the USSR's military space program and used for intelligence-gathering purposes. The satellite was launched aboard a Voskhod rocket and assigned the COSPAR ID 1974-003A.

## Key Facts
- Official designation: Cosmos 629
- Alternate name: Kosmos 629
- Launch date: January 24, 1974
- Launch time: 15:00:01 UTC
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4
- Launch vehicle: Voskhod
- Satellite class: Zenit 2M (Soviet spy satellite)
- COSPAR ID: 1974-003A
- SCN code: 07100
- Wikipedia languages: Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), Serbian (sr)

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 629?
A: Cosmos 629 was a Zenit 2M reconnaissance satellite developed by the Soviet Union for military intelligence-gathering missions. It was designed to collect photographic and electronic surveillance data from orbit.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 629 launched?
A: Cosmos 629 was launched on January 24, 1974, at 15:00:01 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 in the Soviet Union. The launch vehicle used was a Voskhod rocket.

### Q: How is Cosmos 629 classified within the Soviet space program?
A: Cosmos 629 is classified as a Zenit 2M satellite, which was a type of second-generation Soviet optical reconnaissance satellite. These satellites were successors to earlier Zenit models and featured improved resolution and operational capabilities.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 629 represents a key component of the Cold War-era Soviet space-based intelligence infrastructure. As part of the Zenit 2M program, it contributed to the USSR’s strategic reconnaissance efforts during a period of heightened geopolitical tension. Its successful deployment demonstrated advancements in Soviet satellite technology and their ability to conduct sustained orbital surveillance operations. Understanding missions like Cosmos 629 provides insight into how superpowers leveraged outer space for national security objectives during the latter half of the 20th century.

## Notable For
- Being part of the advanced Zenit 2M generation of Soviet spy satellites
- Launching early in 1974, marking continued Soviet investment in orbital reconnaissance
- Utilizing the reliable Voskhod launch system from a northern cosmodrome
- Assigned SCN tracking number 07100 by international monitoring organizations
- Representing one of many Cosmos-designated Soviet military satellites with dual-use potential

## Body

### Mission Overview
Cosmos 629 was a Soviet military reconnaissance satellite belonging to the Zenit 2M class. These satellites were operated by the Soviet military for collecting imagery intelligence (IMINT) over global targets of interest. Missions under the Zenit 2M program typically involved returning film capsules to Earth for analysis.

### Technical Classification
The spacecraft was categorized as an instance of the Zenit 2M class, indicating it was equipped with upgraded camera systems compared to earlier Zenit variants. This model incorporated higher-resolution optics and more efficient recovery mechanisms for film return capsules.

### Launch Details
- **Date**: January 24, 1974  
- **Time**: 15:00:01 UTC  
- **Location**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 43/4  
- **Vehicle**: Voskhod  

This launch occurred during a phase when the Soviet Union was expanding its fleet of dedicated reconnaissance platforms to maintain competitive parity with U.S. spy satellite programs such as Corona and Gambit.

### Identification Codes
- **COSPAR ID**: 1974-003A  
- **SCN Code**: 07100  

These identifiers allowed international tracking organizations and defense analysts to catalog and monitor the satellite throughout its mission life.

### Historical Context
As part of the broader Cosmos series—a naming convention applied to numerous Soviet satellites—Cosmos 629 reflects the opaque nature of Soviet military space activities during the Cold War era. Many details of its specific mission profile remain classified or unverified publicly.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report