# Cosmos 958
**Wikidata**: [Q13566943](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566943)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-958

## Summary
Cosmos 958 was a Soviet spy satellite launched on October 11, 1977, as part of the Zenit 6U program. It was deployed from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-U rocket. The satellite is identified by the COSPAR ID 1977-100A and is also known by the alias Kosmos 958.

## Key Facts
- Official designation: Cosmos 958
- Alternate name: Kosmos 958
- COSPAR ID: 1977-100A
- Satellite class: Zenit 6U (Soviet reconnaissance satellite)
- Launch date: October 11, 1977
- Launch time: 15:14:00 UTC
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4
- Launch vehicle: Soyuz-U
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- SCN identifier: 10403

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 958?
A: Cosmos 958 was a Zenit 6U reconnaissance satellite used by the Soviet Union for intelligence-gathering purposes. These satellites were typically employed for photographic surveillance missions.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 958 launched?
A: Cosmos 958 was launched on October 11, 1977, at 15:14:00 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 in the Soviet Union. It was carried into orbit by a Soyuz-U rocket.

### Q: How is Cosmos 958 classified technically?
A: Cosmos 958 is classified as a Zenit 6U satellite, a variant of the Zenit program designed for military reconnaissance. It was cataloged under SCN number 10403 and COSPAR ID 1977-100A.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 958 represents a key component of the Soviet Union's Cold War-era space-based intelligence infrastructure. As part of the Zenit 6U series, it contributed to the USSR’s strategic reconnaissance capabilities, enabling high-resolution imagery collection over global targets. Its launch reflects the technological competition between superpowers during the latter half of the 20th century, particularly in the domain of space-based surveillance. Understanding missions like Cosmos 958 provides insight into historical developments in espionage technology, orbital mechanics, and geopolitical strategy.

## Notable For
- Being part of the classified Zenit 6U military reconnaissance program
- Launching atop the widely-used Soyuz-U rocket, a reliable workhorse of the Soviet space program
- Representing one of many Kosmos-designated satellites that obscured the true nature of Soviet military payloads
- Having a precise launch profile recorded with both temporal and geographic qualifiers
- Serving as an example of dual-use space technology developed during the Cold War

## Body

### Mission Overview
Cosmos 958 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite belonging to the Zenit 6U class. Satellites in this category were primarily used for optical intelligence gathering, often involving film-return capsules retrieved after deorbiting.

### Technical Classification
The spacecraft was designated under the broader "Kosmos" naming convention, which the Soviet Union frequently applied to military satellites to mask their operational roles. Classified formally as Zenit 6U, it followed a standardized design tailored for Earth observation and surveillance tasks.

### Launch Details
- **Launch Date**: October 11, 1977
- **Launch Time**: 15:14:00 UTC
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 43/4
- **Orbital Insertion**: Successfully placed into low Earth orbit following liftoff

### Identification Codes
- **COSPAR ID**: 1977-100A
- **SCN Number**: 10403
- **Wolfram Alpha Code**: Entity["Satellite", "10403"]

### Historical Context
Launched during the height of the Cold War, Cosmos 958 exemplifies the secretive yet technologically advanced efforts by the Soviet Union to maintain strategic parity with the United States through orbital reconnaissance assets. Missions such as this played a critical role in shaping national security decisions throughout the era.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report