# Kosmos 10

> soviet reconnaissance satellite (Zenit 2-6)

**Wikidata**: [Q851832](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q851832)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_10)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-10

## Summary
Kosmos 10 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite, part of the Zenit-2 class, launched on October 17, 1962. Weighing 4700 kilograms, it was designed for intelligence gathering and operated for a short period before its atmospheric re-entry on October 21, 1962. It was launched from Gagarin's Start using a Vostok-2 rocket.

## Key Facts
*   Kosmos 10 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite.
*   It was an instance of the Zenit-2 class of satellites.
*   The satellite was launched on October 17, 1962, from Gagarin's Start.
*   It had a mass of 4700 kilograms.
*   Kosmos 10 re-entered the atmosphere on October 21, 1962.
*   Its launch vehicle was the Vostok-2 rocket.
*   The manufacturer was S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia.
*   It had a COSPAR ID of 1962-054A.
*   The satellite maintained an orbital period of 90 minutes with an inclination of 64.9 degrees.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of Kosmos 10?
A: Kosmos 10 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite. Its primary purpose was intelligence gathering from space, as indicated by its classification.

### Q: When was Kosmos 10 launched and how long did it operate?
A: Kosmos 10 was launched on October 17, 1962. It operated for a short mission duration, with its atmospheric entry occurring on October 21, 1962.

### Q: What type of rocket launched Kosmos 10 into orbit?
A: Kosmos 10 was launched into orbit by a Vostok-2 rocket. The launch took place from Gagarin's Start.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 10 holds significance as an early example of the Soviet Union's efforts in space-based reconnaissance during the Cold War era. As a Zenit-2 class satellite, it represented a key component of the Soviet space program's development of intelligence-gathering capabilities. Launched in 1962, it contributed to the evolving landscape of space technology, demonstrating the Soviet Union's capacity to deploy substantial payloads for strategic purposes. Its short operational lifespan, from October 17 to October 21, 1962, is characteristic of early reconnaissance missions, which often involved film return capsules. The mission, though brief, was part of a broader series of Zenit-2 launches, indicating a systematic approach to developing and refining satellite reconnaissance technology. Its deployment by the Vostok-2 rocket, manufactured by S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, underscores the advanced engineering and industrial capabilities supporting the Soviet space program at the time.

## Notable For
*   Being an early Soviet reconnaissance satellite of the Zenit-2 class.
*   Its launch in October 1962, contributing to the Soviet Union's space-based intelligence efforts.
*   Its relatively heavy mass of 4700 kilograms for an early satellite.
*   Its short operational mission, lasting only four days from launch to atmospheric re-entry.

## Body

### Overview
Kosmos 10 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite, identified as Zenit 2-6, and was an instance of the Zenit-2 class. It was manufactured by S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia. The satellite had a COSPAR ID of 1962-054A and is also known by the alias Kosmos 10.

### Launch and Mission Details
Kosmos 10 was launched on October 17, 1962.
*   **Launch Date**: 1962-10-17
*   **Launch Site**: Gagarin's Start
*   **Launch Vehicle**: Vostok-2 rocket
*   **Significant Event**: Rocket launch on 1962-10-17 from Gagarin's Start.

### Orbital Characteristics
Upon reaching orbit, Kosmos 10 exhibited the following parameters:
*   **Mass**: 4700 kilograms
*   **Apoapsis**: 376 kilometres
*   **Periapsis**: 178 kilometres
*   **Orbital Period**: 90 minutes
*   **Orbital Inclination**: 64.9 degrees

### Mission End
The mission of Kosmos 10 concluded shortly after its launch.
*   **Atmospheric Entry**: 1962-10-21
*   **Time of Object Orbit Decay**: 1962-10-21
*   **Significant Event**: Atmospheric entry on 1962-10-21.

### Identifiers
*   **SCN**: 00437
*   **Freebase ID**: /m/063yjcp
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code**: Entity["Satellite", "00437"]

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013