# Cosmos 914
**Wikidata**: [Q4235070](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4235070)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-914

## Summary
Cosmos 914 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched in 1977 as part of the Zenit 2M spy satellite program. It was designed for photographic intelligence gathering and operated in low Earth orbit. The satellite was deployed using a Soyuz-U rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: May 31, 1977, at 07:30:00 UTC.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1977-043A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 10030.
- **Manufacturer**: S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U rocket.
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.
- **Mission Type**: Photographic reconnaissance for the Soviet Union.
- **Class**: Zenit 2M satellite.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 914?
A: Cosmos 914 was a Soviet spy satellite designed to conduct photographic reconnaissance from low Earth orbit as part of the Zenit 2M program.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 914 launched?
A: It launched on May 31, 1977, at 07:30:00 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What rocket was used to deploy Cosmos 914?
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Soyuz-U rocket, a variant of the Soyuz rocket family used for military and civilian missions.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 914 represents a key component of the Soviet Union’s Cold War-era space-based reconnaissance efforts. As part of the Zenit 2M series, it contributed to the USSR’s ability to gather photographic intelligence, playing a role in military surveillance and strategic planning. The use of the Soyuz-U launch vehicle underscores its connection to broader Soviet space infrastructure, which supported both military and civilian space programs. While individual Zenit missions like Cosmos 914 were not publicly detailed, their collective operations highlight the scale and sophistication of Soviet satellite reconnaissance during the 1970s.

## Notable For
- **Zenit 2M Class**: Part of a series of film-return reconnaissance satellites used for high-resolution imaging.
- **Soyuz-U Launch**: Demonstrated the reliability of the Soyuz-U rocket, a workhorse for Soviet space launches.
- **Cold War Surveillance**: Played a role in the Soviet Union’s intelligence-gathering capabilities during the Cold War.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date/Time**: May 31, 1977, at 07:30:00 UTC.
- **Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 (a launch pad used for Soyuz and other missions).
- **Rocket**: Soyuz-U (a modified Soyuz design for universal payload capacity).

### Satellite Specifications
- **Class**: Zenit 2M, a second-generation Soviet reconnaissance satellite.
- **Design**: Equipped for photographic reconnaissance, likely using film capsules returned to Earth via re-entry vehicles.
- **Manufacturer**: S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, a leading Soviet space engineering firm.

### Mission Profile
- **Orbit**: Operated in low Earth orbit to capture high-resolution imagery of strategic targets.
- **COSPAR ID/SCN**: Identified as 1977-043A and satellite catalog number 10030 for tracking purposes.
- **Decay**: The satellite’s orbital decay date is not specified in the source material, but Zenit 2M missions typically lasted approximately 14 days before film capsules were retrieved.

### Legacy
- **Historical Context**: Part of a broader network of Soviet satellites (e.g., Kosmos series) that conducted clandestine reconnaissance missions.
- **Technological Role**: Reflects the integration of launch vehicle advancements (Soyuz-U) with satellite design for military applications.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report