# Cosmos 740
**Wikidata**: [Q12907789](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907789)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-740

## Summary
Cosmos 740 was a Soviet satellite launched in 1975 as part of the Zenit-4MK reconnaissance satellite program. It was deployed for photo intelligence gathering, a key component of Soviet military surveillance efforts during the Cold War. The satellite was launched using a Voskhod rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: May 28, 1975, at 07:29:59 UTC.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1975-046A.
- **Satellite Class**: Zenit-4MK, a Soviet photo reconnaissance satellite model.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Voskhod (Soviet launch vehicle).
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.
- **SCN**: 07821.
- **Mission Type**: Military reconnaissance.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary mission of Cosmos 740?
A: Cosmos 740 was a photo reconnaissance satellite designed to gather intelligence for the Soviet military, part of the broader Zenit-4MK program.

### Q: What type of rocket launched Cosmos 740?
A: The satellite was launched using a Voskhod rocket, a Soviet launch vehicle commonly used for military and crewed spaceflight missions.

### Q: Where was Cosmos 740 launched from?
A: The launch occurred at Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 in the Soviet Union (now Kazakhstan).

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 740 represents a critical component of the Soviet Union’s Cold War-era reconnaissance efforts. As part of the Zenit-4MK series, it exemplifies the scale and sophistication of Soviet satellite surveillance programs, which played a pivotal role in military strategy and intelligence gathering. The use of the Voskhod launch vehicle underscores its connection to both crewed and uncrewed Soviet space endeavors, highlighting the integration of military and space technologies during this period. Its launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 further emphasizes the strategic importance of this facility in Soviet space operations.

## Notable For
- **Reconnaissance Role**: Part of the Zenit-4MK class, specialized for photo intelligence missions.
- **Voskhod Rocket Deployment**: Utilized a launch vehicle also associated with Soviet crewed spaceflight programs.
- **Baikonur Launch Site**: Launched from a key Soviet space facility, reflecting Cold War military-space infrastructure.
- **Cold War Context**: Contributed to Soviet strategic capabilities during a period of heightened geopolitical tensions.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date and Time**: Cosmos 740 launched on May 28, 1975, at 07:29:59 UTC.
- **Location**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31, a Soviet spaceport in modern-day Kazakhstan.
- **Vehicle**: The Voskhod rocket, a versatile Soviet launch vehicle used for both military satellites and crewed missions.

### Satellite Specifications
- **Class**: Zenit-4MK, a fourth-generation photo reconnaissance satellite.
- **Identifier**: COSPAR ID 1975-046A and SCN 07821.
- **Purpose**: Equipped for high-altitude photographic surveillance, typical of Zenit-series satellites.

### Mission Context
- **Program Affiliation**: Part of the broader Zenit program, which included numerous satellites for military intelligence.
- **Historical Significance**: Operated during the Cold War, reflecting the Soviet Union’s emphasis on space-based reconnaissance to monitor adversaries.
- **Technological Legacy**: The Voskhod rocket’s dual use (crewed and uncrewed missions) highlights the interconnectedness of Soviet space programs.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report