# Cosmos 691
**Wikidata**: [Q12753953](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753953)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-691

## Summary
Cosmos 691 (also known as Kosmos 691) was a Zenit-4MK satellite launched by the Soviet Union on October 25, 1974, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 using a Soyuz-U rocket.

## Key Facts
- Cosmos 691 is a Zenit-4MK satellite with the COSPAR ID 1974-082A.
- It was launched on October 25, 1974, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.
- The launch vehicle was a Soyuz-U rocket.
- The satellite belongs to the Zenit-4MK class of spacecraft.
- It has a sitelink count of 3 across different language Wikipedia pages.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Cosmos 691?
A: Cosmos 691 is a Zenit-4MK satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1974.

### Q: When was Cosmos 691 launched?
A: It was launched on October 25, 1974.

### Q: What was the launch vehicle for Cosmos 691?
A: The launch vehicle was a Soyuz-U rocket.

### Q: Where was Cosmos 691 launched from?
A: It was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 691 represents a typical Soviet reconnaissance satellite from the 1970s, operating as part of the Zenit program which was crucial for intelligence gathering during the Cold War. The Zenit-4MK series represented an evolution in Soviet satellite technology, utilizing the Soyuz-U launch vehicle for deployment. While specific operational details remain classified, such satellites played a significant role in military and strategic reconnaissance capabilities, contributing to the broader space race and Cold War competition between the Soviet Union and the United States.

The Zenit program, of which Cosmos 691 was a part, demonstrated the Soviet Union's continued investment in space-based intelligence gathering capabilities, reflecting the strategic importance placed on satellite technology for national security during this period.

## Notable For
- It was part of the Zenit-4MK series, a specific class of reconnaissance satellites.
- It utilized the Soyuz-U rocket as its launch vehicle.
- The satellite was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome, a major Soviet space launch facility.
- It represents a specific COSPAR ID (1974-082A) and SCN (07483).
- It was launched during the Cold War era, serving as part of the Soviet Union's intelligence-gathering capabilities.

## Body
### Technical Classification
Cosmos 691 is classified as a Zenit-4MK satellite, which belongs to the Zenit-4MK class of spacecraft. This classification indicates it was designed for specific reconnaissance purposes.

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched on October 25, 1974, at 09:30:01 from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31. The launch was conducted using a Soyuz-U rocket, which is a variant of the Soyuz rocket design.

### Identification Numbers
The satellite has the COSPAR ID 1974-082A and the SCN (Spacecraft Number) 07483. These identifiers are used for tracking and cataloging the satellite in space mission databases.

### Operational Context
As a Zenit-4MK satellite, Cosmos 691 was part of the Soviet Union's space reconnaissance program. The Zenit series was developed to provide photographic intelligence from orbit, complementing other Soviet space programs like the Molniya and other military satellites.

### Launch Vehicle Specifications
The Soyuz-U rocket used for the launch was a universal design variant of the Soyuz rocket family, which had been in service since the 1970s for launching various types of spacecraft including military and scientific missions. The Soyuz-U provided the necessary thrust to place the Zenit-4MK satellite into its operational orbit.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report