# Kosmos 112

> soviet reconnaissance satellite (Zenit 2-36)

**Wikidata**: [Q1119572](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1119572)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_112)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-112

## Summary  
Kosmos 112 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite, part of the Zenit-2 program, launched on March 17, 1966. It conducted Earth observation and intelligence-gathering missions from orbit.

## Key Facts  
- Launched on March 17, 1966 at 10:28:42 UTC  
- Launch site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41  
- Launch vehicle: Vostok-2 rocket  
- Satellite class: Zenit-2 (reconnaissance satellite)  
- COSPAR ID: 1966-021A  
- SCN (Spacecraft Number): 02107  
- Manufacturer: S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia  
- Also known as: Kosmos 112  
- Wikidata instance of: Zenit-2  
- Operated by the Soviet Union during the Cold War  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Kosmos 112?  
A: Kosmos 112 was a reconnaissance satellite used by the Soviet Union for military intelligence gathering via optical imaging. It was part of the Zenit-2 program designed for returning film canisters to Earth for analysis.

### Q: When was Kosmos 112 launched?  
A: Kosmos 112 was launched on March 17, 1966, at 10:28:42 UTC from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia using a Vostok-2 rocket.

### Q: Who manufactured Kosmos 112?  
A: The satellite was manufactured by S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, a leading Soviet aerospace developer responsible for many early space missions.

## Why It Matters  
Kosmos 112 represents a key component of the Soviet Union's Cold War-era space-based surveillance capabilities. As part of the Zenit-2 series, it contributed to the USSR’s efforts to monitor foreign military activities through orbital reconnaissance. These satellites played a critical role in strategic intelligence, offering a technological edge in an era defined by geopolitical tension and the arms race. Its successful deployment demonstrated advancements in spacecraft design, film-return systems, and operational launch capability from northern cosmodromes like Plesetsk.

## Notable For  
- Being part of the Zenit-2 reconnaissance satellite program  
- Using the reliable Vostok-2 launch system  
- Returning photographic film capsules for high-resolution image analysis  
- Supporting Soviet military intelligence operations during the height of the Cold War  
- Reflecting the rapid expansion of Soviet space infrastructure beyond human spaceflight  

## Body  

### Mission Overview  
Kosmos 112 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched under the standardized Kosmos naming convention for military spacecraft. It belonged to the Zenit-2 class, which was developed specifically for photo-reconnaissance purposes. Missions in this program typically involved capturing images on film, which were then returned to Earth in reentry capsules for processing and analysis.

### Technical Specifications  
- **Class**: Zenit-2  
- **Spacecraft Number (SCN)**: 02107  
- **Launch Mass**: Approximately 4,600 kg  
- **Mission Type**: Reconnaissance / Surveillance  
- **Imaging System**: Film-based optical camera with return capsule  

### Launch Details  
- **Date**: March 17, 1966  
- **Time**: 10:28:42 UTC  
- **Location**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 41  
- **Rocket**: Vostok-2  
- **Operator**: Soviet Union  

### Operational Context  
As part of the broader Zenit program, Kosmos 112 supported national security objectives by collecting visual intelligence over global targets. The use of film-return technology ensured higher resolution than early electronic sensors, making these missions strategically valuable despite their limited duration and recovery constraints.

### Legacy  
The Zenit-2 program, including Kosmos 112, laid foundational experience for future Soviet and Russian reconnaissance programs. These missions helped shape modern satellite surveillance techniques and marked a major milestone in dual-use space technologies—those applicable to both civilian and defense sectors.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report