# Kosmos 117

> Soviet optical film-return reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q12684295](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12684295)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_117)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-117

## Summary
Kosmos 117 was a Soviet optical film-return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1966. It was a member of the Zenit-2 class of satellites and was manufactured by the S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** May 6, 1966
- **Launch Time:** 10:58:00
- **Satellite Class:** Zenit-2
- **Launch Vehicle:** Vostok-2 rocket
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31
- **Manufacturer:** S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 02163
- **COSPAR ID:** 1966-037A
- **Instance Of:** Zenit-2 optical film-return reconnaissance satellite

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of Kosmos 117?
A: Kosmos 117 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite designed for optical film-return missions. It was used to capture imagery from space and return the physical film to Earth for processing and analysis.

### Q: When and where was Kosmos 117 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on May 6, 1966, at 10:58:00 UTC. The launch took place from Site 31 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

### Q: Who manufactured Kosmos 117 and what rocket did it use?
A: Kosmos 117 was manufactured by the S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia. It was carried into orbit by a Vostok-2 launch vehicle.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 117 serves as a documented example of Soviet Zenit-2 class satellite technology. As an optical film-return reconnaissance satellite, it represents the technical approach of the 1960s where physical film was used to capture data from space and then returned to Earth. The satellite's production by the S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia highlights the involvement of major Soviet aerospace manufacturers in the reconnaissance field. The mission's launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 using a Vostok-2 rocket provides a snapshot of the launch infrastructure and vehicle pairings used during this era. 

With a launch date of May 6, 1966, Kosmos 117 is part of a broader sequence of Soviet space missions identified under the "Kosmos" designation. Its presence in global knowledge bases, identified by SCN 02163 and COSPAR ID 1966-037A, ensures its technical details remain accessible for historical and scientific analysis. This satellite is notable for its specific classification and its role in the early development of orbital reconnaissance, contributing to the overall legacy of the Zenit-2 program and the Vostok-2 launch system.

## Notable For
- **Satellite Class:** It is a Zenit-2 optical film-return reconnaissance satellite.
- **Manufacturer:** Produced by the S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia.
- **Launch Infrastructure:** Launched from the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.
- **Identification:** Tracked under Satellite Catalog Number 02163 and COSPAR ID 1966-037A.

## Body

### Mission Overview
Kosmos 117 was a Soviet satellite launched on May 6, 1966. It functioned as an optical film-return reconnaissance craft, a type of satellite that captures images on physical film and returns a capsule to Earth for recovery. The mission was part of the Zenit-2 program, which utilized the Vostok-2 launch vehicle.

### Technical Specifications and Identification
The satellite is identified by several international tracking codes:
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 02163
- **COSPAR ID:** 1966-037A
- **Freebase ID:** /m/0zwl9gr
- **Wolfram Language Code:** Entity["Satellite", "02163"]

The craft was manufactured by the S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia. It is classified as an instance of the Zenit-2 satellite class.

### Launch Details
The significant event of the rocket launch occurred with the following parameters:
- **Date:** May 6, 1966
- **Time:** 10:58:00
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31
- **Vehicle:** Vostok-2 rocket

### International Recognition
Information regarding Kosmos 117 is available across six different language editions of Wikipedia, including English (en), Hungarian (hu), Macedonian (mk), Polish (pl), Serbo-Croatian (sh), and Serbian (sr). It maintains a sitelink count of 6 across these platforms.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report