# Kosmos 12

> Soviet spy satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q827520](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q827520)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_12)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-12

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Kosmos 12**:

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## Summary  
Kosmos 12 was a Soviet spy satellite launched in 1962 as part of the Zenit-2 reconnaissance program. It orbited Earth for eight days before re-entering the atmosphere, collecting photographic intelligence during the Cold War. The mission was part of a broader effort to monitor military and strategic targets globally.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: December 22, 1962  
- **Decay Date**: December 30, 1962 (orbital lifespan: 8 days)  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Vostok-2 rocket (Vostok family)  
- **Launch Site**: Gagarin's Start, Baikonur Cosmodrome  
- **Mass**: 4,730 kilograms  
- **Orbit**: Apogee 405 km, perigee 211 km, inclination 65°  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1962-072A  
- **Class**: Zenit-2 reconnaissance satellite  
- **Manufacturer**: S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Kosmos 12?  
A: Kosmos 12 was a Soviet spy satellite designed to capture high-resolution photographic intelligence during the Cold War, primarily for military reconnaissance.  

### Q: How long did Kosmos 12 remain in orbit?  
A: It orbited Earth for eight days, from launch on December 22, 1962, until atmospheric re-entry on December 30, 1962.  

### Q: What rocket launched Kosmos 12?  
A: It was launched aboard a Vostok-2 rocket, part of the Vostok family, from Baikonur Cosmodrome.  

## Why It Matters  
Kosmos 12 was a critical asset in the Soviet Union's Cold War-era reconnaissance efforts, providing strategic imagery of NATO and other adversarial territories. As part of the Zenit-2 program, it demonstrated advancements in satellite surveillance technology, enabling more precise intelligence gathering than earlier systems. Its short but impactful mission underscored the rapid development of space-based espionage during this period, contributing to the broader space race between the USSR and the United States.  

## Notable For  
- **Early Spy Satellite**: Among the first generation of Soviet reconnaissance satellites.  
- **Zenit-2 Program**: A key mission in this classified series, improving photographic resolution over predecessors.  
- **Cold War Context**: Launched during heightened tensions, providing critical intelligence.  

## Body  
### Mission Overview  
- Launched December 22, 1962, decayed December 30, 1962.  
- Primary objective: Photographic reconnaissance of military and strategic sites.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Mass**: 4,730 kg  
- **Orbit**:  
  - Apogee: 405 km  
  - Perigee: 211 km  
  - Inclination: 65°  
  - Eccentricity: 0.014525  
  - Period: 90.45 minutes  

### Launch and Deployment  
- **Rocket**: Vostok-2 (Vostok family)  
- **Site**: Gagarin's Start, Baikonur Cosmodrome  

### Legacy  
- Contributed to the Zenit-2 program's evolution, paving the way for later Soviet spy satellites.  
- Demonstrated rapid deployment and retrieval of space-based intelligence.  

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This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material and avoids fabrication. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report