# Cosmos 742
**Wikidata**: [Q12753980](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12753980)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-742

## Summary
Cosmos 742 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched in 1975 as part of the Zenit-4MK class, designed for photo surveillance. It was deployed using a Voskhod rocket from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, contributing to the Soviet Union's military intelligence efforts during the Cold War.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: June 3, 1975, at 13:20:48 UTC.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1975-048A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 07900.
- **Class**: Zenit-4MK, a Soviet photo reconnaissance satellite.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Voskhod, a Soviet rocket used for crewed and uncrewed missions.
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43.
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code**: Entity["Satellite", "07900"].

## FAQs
### Q: When was Cosmos 742 launched?
A: Cosmos 742 was launched on June 3, 1975, at 13:20:48 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43.

### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 742?
A: It was a Zenit-4MK reconnaissance satellite, designed to conduct photographic surveillance for Soviet military intelligence.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 742?
A: The satellite was launched using a Voskhod rocket, a Soviet launch vehicle also associated with crewed spaceflight programs.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 742 represents a key component of the Soviet Union’s Cold War-era space-based reconnaissance efforts. As part of the Zenit-4MK series, it exemplified the integration of space technology with military strategy, providing critical photographic intelligence. Its launch on a Voskhod rocket highlights the dual-use nature of Soviet space infrastructure, which supported both crewed missions and clandestine satellite operations. This satellite underscores the broader geopolitical context of the era, where space assets played a pivotal role in global power dynamics and national security.

## Notable For
- **Reconnaissance Role**: Part of the Zenit-4MK class, optimized for high-resolution photographic surveillance.
- **Voskhod Rocket Deployment**: Utilized a launch vehicle also used for crewed spaceflight, showcasing Soviet rocket versatility.
- **Plesetsk Launch**: Conducted from a strategic military spaceport, reflecting its ties to defense operations.
- **Cold War Context**: Contributed to the Soviet Union’s intelligence-gathering capabilities during a period of heightened geopolitical tension.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date/Time**: June 3, 1975, at 13:20:48 UTC.
- **Location**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43, a primary Soviet military launch site.
- **Vehicle**: Voskhod rocket, a derivative of the R-7 family adapted for satellite launches.

### Satellite Specifications
- **Class**: Zenit-4MK, a fourth-generation photo reconnaissance satellite with improved optics and film return systems.
- **Mission Type**: Orbital surveillance, with film canisters recovered mid-flight via capsules.

### Mission Context
- **Program Affiliation**: Part of the broader Zenit program, which conducted over 500 launches between 1961 and 1996.
- **Geopolitical Significance**: Operated during the Cold War, providing intelligence to support Soviet military and diplomatic strategies.
- **Technical Legacy**: The Zenit-4MK class laid groundwork for later Soviet/Russian reconnaissance satellites, such as the Yantar series.

### Identifiers & References
- **COSPAR ID**: 1975-048A (international designation).
- **SCN**: 07900 (U.S. Satellite Catalog Number).
- **Wolfram Code**: Entity["Satellite", "07900"] for computational knowledge systems.
- **Wikipedia Coverage**: Documented in Macedonian, Serbo-Croatian, and Serbian language entries.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report