# Cosmos 696
**Wikidata**: [Q12753958](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753958)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-696

## Summary
Cosmos 696 was a Soviet spy satellite launched on November 27, 1974. Designated as part of the Zenit 2M class, it was deployed via a Voskhod launch vehicle from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It is identified by the international COSPAR ID 1974-095A and the SATCAT number 07551.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 696 is an instance of the **Zenit 2M** class, a type of Soviet spy satellite.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on **November 27, 1974**.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was propelled into orbit by a **Voskhod** rocket.
- **Launch Site:** The launch originated from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4**.
- **COSPAR ID:** Its international designation is **1974-095A**.
- **SATCAT Number:** It is cataloged in the Satellite Catalog Number system as **07551**.
- **Launch Event:** The specific launch event is recorded as a "rocket launch" occurring at **11:44:59** UTC on November 27, 1974.
- **Aliases:** It is also known as **Kosmos 696**.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 696?
A: Cosmos 696 was a Soviet spy satellite belonging to the Zenit 2M class of spacecraft.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 696 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on November 27, 1974, at 11:44:59 UTC from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 696?
A: A Voskhod launch vehicle was used to deploy Cosmos 696 into orbit.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 696 serves as a specific historical data point within the extensive Soviet "Cosmos" program, which spanned several decades. Launched in the mid-1970s, this mission illustrates the operational tempo and technological reliance of the Soviet Union on reconnaissance satellites during this era. As a Zenit 2M satellite, it represents a generation of optical surveillance technology used for intelligence gathering, distinct from earlier or later iterations of the Zenit series.

The mission is also significant for its use of the Voskhod launch vehicle, a derivative of the R-7 Semyorka, highlighting the longevity and adaptability of the R-7 platform for various Soviet space endeavors. Furthermore, the launch from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 emphasizes the role of this specific launch complex in supporting the Soviet military space program. Cataloging entities like Cosmos 696 with precise identifiers (such as COSPAR ID 1974-095A) allows space historians and trackers to maintain accurate records of orbital objects, distinguishing specific military missions within the broader, often opaque, Cosmos designation series.

## Notable For
- Being a member of the **Zenit 2M** class of spy satellites.
- Utilizing the **Voskhod** launch vehicle, which was also associated with crewed Soviet spacecraft.
- Launching from **Site 43/4** at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.
- Precise launch timing recorded to the second (**11:44:59** UTC).
- Being tracked under the specific Wolfram Language entity code `Entity["Satellite", "07551"]`.

## Body

### Mission Overview
Cosmos 696 was a Soviet artificial satellite launched as part of the ongoing Cosmos program. Its primary role was that of a reconnaissance vehicle, falling under the classification of a spy satellite. The mission followed the standard Soviet practice of masking military reconnaissance missions under the generic "Cosmos" designation.

### Technical Specifications
The satellite is structurally and functionally defined as an **instance of a Zenit 2M**. This class of satellite was a key component of Soviet intelligence capabilities. The satellite's international identifier is **1974-095A**, and it holds the Satellite Catalog Number **07551**.

### Launch Operations
The launch of Cosmos 696 took place on **November 27, 1974**. The significant event was recorded precisely at **11:44:59**.
- **Launch Vehicle:** The satellite was carried into orbit by a **Voskhod** launch vehicle. The Voskhod is noted in related data as both a Russian launch vehicle and a series of Soviet crewed spacecraft, indicating the versatility of the platform.
- **Launch Site:** The mission launched from **Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4**, a major spaceport used primarily for military launches.
- **Location Context:** The launch site is situated in the Soviet Union (historical context based on the Voskhod vehicle's origin).

### Data and Tracking
References to Cosmos 696 appear in multiple languages on Wikipedia, including Macedonian (mk), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr). It is distinctively coded in the Wolfram Language as `Entity["Satellite", "07551"]`, linking it to computational databases for satellite tracking.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report