# Cosmos 950
**Wikidata**: [Q12754078](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12754078)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-950

## Summary
Cosmos 950 is a Soviet Zenit 2M reconnaissance satellite launched on September 13, 1977, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U rocket. It was part of the Soviet Union's military space program and operated under the designation "Cosmos" commonly used for classified missions.

## Key Facts
- Official designation: Cosmos 950
- Alternate name: Kosmos 950
- Launch date: September 13, 1977
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43
- Launch time: 15:10:00 UTC
- Launch vehicle: Soyuz-U rocket
- Satellite class: Zenit 2M (military reconnaissance)
- COSPAR ID: 1977-086A
- SCN (Space Command Number): 10351
- Country of origin: Soviet Union

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 950?
A: Cosmos 950 was a Zenit 2M military reconnaissance satellite designed for intelligence-gathering purposes by the Soviet Union. It belonged to a series of photo-reconnaissance satellites used for surveillance during the Cold War era.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 950 launched?
A: Cosmos 950 was launched on September 13, 1977, at 15:10 UTC from Site 43 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Soviet Union. The launch utilized a Soyuz-U carrier rocket.

### Q: How is Cosmos 950 classified within the Soviet satellite system?
A: Cosmos 950 is classified as a Zenit 2M satellite, which was a variant of the Zenit program specifically developed for high-resolution optical reconnaissance missions. These satellites were integral components of the Soviet Union’s strategic intelligence capabilities.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 950 represents one of many classified satellites deployed by the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War to monitor geopolitical developments through orbital reconnaissance. As part of the Zenit 2M program, it contributed to the USSR's ability to gather visual intelligence without violating international airspace laws. Its successful deployment demonstrated advancements in Soviet space-based surveillance technology and played a role in shaping global security dynamics during the late 1970s. Understanding missions like Cosmos 950 provides insight into how nations historically leveraged outer space for national defense and strategic advantage.

## Notable For
- Being part of the secretive Zenit 2M military reconnaissance satellite program
- Utilizing the reliable Soyuz-U launch vehicle, widely used across various Soviet missions
- Operating under the standardized “Cosmos” naming convention applied to numerous classified payloads
- Contributing to Soviet-era intelligence collection efforts via orbital imagery
- Representing an evolution in automated reconnaissance satellite design with improved resolution and operational lifespan compared to earlier models

## Body
### Mission Overview
Cosmos 950 was a Soviet military reconnaissance satellite belonging to the Zenit 2M class. Launched during the Cold War period, it formed part of the broader Zenit program aimed at providing high-resolution photographic intelligence from orbit.

### Technical Classification
The spacecraft was categorized under the Zenit 2M subclass, known for improvements over previous iterations including enhanced camera systems and extended mission durations. These satellites typically featured return capsules containing film that would be recovered after re-entry.

### Launch Details
- **Date**: September 13, 1977  
- **Time**: 15:10 UTC  
- **Location**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 43  
- **Vehicle**: Soyuz-U rocket  

This launch followed standard procedures associated with Soyuz-family rockets and occurred at one of the primary Soviet spaceports dedicated to military launches.

### Identification and Tracking
- **COSPAR ID**: 1977-086A  
- **SCN (Space Command Number)**: 10351  
- **Alternate Designation**: Kosmos 950  

These identifiers enabled tracking by both military and civilian organizations worldwide, though detailed mission parameters remained classified.

### Historical Context
As part of the larger Cosmos series—which encompassed thousands of mostly classified payloads—Cosmos 950 reflects the scale and scope of Soviet investment in space-based intelligence gathering throughout the second half of the 20th century.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report