# Kosmos 107

> soviet reconnaissance satellite (Zenit 2-35)

**Wikidata**: [Q12559220](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12559220)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_107)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-107

## Summary
Kosmos 107 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched on February 10, 1966. Designated within the Zenit-2 class of spacecraft, it was manufactured by the S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia for military observation purposes. The mission was deployed from the Baikonur Cosmodrome using a Vostok-2 launch vehicle.

## Key Facts
- **COSPAR ID:** 1966-010A
- **Launch Date:** February 10, 1966
- **Launch Time:** 08:40:00 UTC
- **Spacecraft Class:** Zenit-2 (Zenit 2-35)
- **Manufacturer:** S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia
- **Launch Vehicle:** Vostok-2
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 01998
- **Mission Type:** Soviet reconnaissance satellite

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Kosmos 107?
A: Kosmos 107 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite belonging to the Zenit-2 class (specifically identified as Zenit 2-35). It was designed for military observation and intelligence gathering.

### Q: When and how was Kosmos 107 launched?
A: Kosmos 107 was launched on February 10, 1966, at 08:40:00 UTC. It was delivered into orbit using a Vostok-2 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.

### Q: Who manufactured Kosmos 107?
A: The satellite was manufactured by the S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, a major Soviet aerospace organization.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 107 represents a specific instance of the extensive Soviet space program's military operations during the mid-1960s. As part of the Zenit-2 series—a class of spacecraft derived from the Vostok manned mission architecture—it highlights the dual-use nature of early Soviet space technology, where human spaceflight hardware was adapted for automated photoreconnaissance.

The mission is significant for its association with the S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, indicating its place in the lineage of one of the most prominent aerospace manufacturers in history. Furthermore, the use of the Vostok-2 rocket and the launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 situates this mission within the critical infrastructure of the Space Race era. By cataloging this mission under the broader "Kosmos" designation, the Soviet Union obscured the specific military nature of the flight, a common practice that this entry clarifies through specific classification data (Zenit-2).

## Notable For
- **Class Identification:** Specifically identified as a Zenit-2 (Zenit 2-35) reconnaissance satellite, distinguishing it from scientific or communication satellites.
- **Historical Launch Vehicle:** Utilized the Vostok-2 rocket, a variant of the R-7 Semyorka family used for early Soviet space missions.
- **Manufacturing Pedigree:** Produced by the S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, linking it to the chief designer of the Soviet space program.
- **Precise Tracking Data:** Maintained under Satellite Catalog Number 01998 and COSPAR ID 1966-010A for historical orbital tracking.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Kosmos 107 functioned as a Soviet reconnaissance satellite, operating under the cover of the Kosmos program. This program was routinely used by the Soviet Union to designate a wide array of military and scientific satellites, preventing the disclosure of specific mission details at the time.

### Technical Specifications
The satellite is classified as an instance of the **Zenit-2** system, identified specifically as **Zenit 2-35**. The Zenit-2 satellites were notable for being the first specialized Soviet photoreconnaissance satellites, equipped with cameras and recovery systems to return film capsules to Earth.

The spacecraft was assigned the **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 01998** and the international designator **1966-010A**, identifying it as the primary object (the payload) of the 10th launch of 1966.

### Launch Operations
The mission launched on **February 10, 1966**, at **08:40:00** UTC. The launch originated from **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31**, a major launch complex used for R-7 family flights. The payload was propelled into orbit by a **Vostok-2** rocket, a reliable launch vehicle derived from the booster used for the world's first human spaceflight.

### Manufacturer
The design and construction of Kosmos 107 were carried out by the **S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia**. This organization, led by Sergei Korolev during the early space race, was responsible for many of the Soviet Union's most significant space achievements.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report