# Kosmos 146

> Soviet Lunar Test Probe

**Wikidata**: [Q686006](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q686006)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_146)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-146

## Summary
Kosmos 146 was a Soviet lunar test probe launched on March 10, 1967, as part of the Zond program. It was a Soyuz 7K-L1 spacecraft designed to test systems for future crewed lunar missions. The probe was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23 using a UR-500 (Proton) launch vehicle.

## Key Facts
- Launch date: March 10, 1967 at 11:30:33 UTC
- Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23
- Launch vehicle: UR-500 (Proton)
- Spacecraft type: Soyuz 7K-L1
- COSPAR ID: 1967-021A
- Alternative names: Cosmos 146, Kosmos-146, Cosmos-146
- Mission type: Lunar test probe
- Country of origin: Soviet Union

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Kosmos 146?
A: Kosmos 146 was a Soviet lunar test probe designed to test systems and technologies for future crewed lunar missions as part of the Zond program. It was an uncrewed mission to evaluate the Soyuz 7K-L1 spacecraft's performance in lunar orbit.

### Q: When and where was Kosmos 146 launched?
A: Kosmos 146 was launched on March 10, 1967, at 11:30:33 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23 in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What type of spacecraft was Kosmos 146?
A: Kosmos 146 was a Soyuz 7K-L1 spacecraft, which was a modified version of the Soyuz spacecraft specifically designed for lunar missions.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 146 represents a significant step in the Soviet Union's lunar exploration efforts during the Space Race. As part of the Zond program, it contributed to the development of technologies and systems necessary for potential crewed lunar missions. The mission provided valuable data on spacecraft performance in lunar orbit, helping to refine designs for future missions. Although it was an uncrewed test, Kosmos 146 played a crucial role in advancing Soviet space capabilities and understanding the challenges of lunar exploration. Its launch demonstrated the Soviet Union's continued commitment to competing with the United States in space exploration, particularly in the context of the Cold War rivalry. The knowledge gained from missions like Kosmos 146 laid the groundwork for future space exploration endeavors, both robotic and crewed.

## Notable For
- First flight of the Soyuz 7K-L1 spacecraft designed for lunar missions
- Test of lunar orbit systems and technologies
- Part of the Soviet Zond program for lunar exploration
- Launch using the UR-500 (Proton) rocket, a heavy-lift launch vehicle
- Contribution to the development of Soviet lunar mission capabilities

## Body
### Mission Overview
Kosmos 146 was launched as part of the Soviet Union's efforts to develop capabilities for lunar exploration. The mission was classified, and details about its specific objectives and outcomes were not widely publicized at the time.

### Spacecraft Design
The Soyuz 7K-L1 spacecraft used in Kosmos 146 was a modified version of the Soyuz spacecraft. It was specifically designed to support lunar missions, with modifications to its propulsion, navigation, and life support systems to accommodate the longer duration and different environmental conditions of a lunar flight.

### Launch Vehicle
The UR-500, also known as the Proton rocket, was used to launch Kosmos 146. This was a heavy-lift launch vehicle developed by the Soviet Union, capable of delivering significant payloads to Earth orbit and beyond. The Proton rocket family has been a workhorse of Russian space launches for decades.

### Mission Significance
While specific details of Kosmos 146's mission profile are not widely available, its launch contributed to the Soviet Union's broader lunar exploration program. Missions like Kosmos 146 were crucial for testing spacecraft systems, launch procedures, and mission operations in preparation for potential crewed lunar flights.

### Program Context
Kosmos 146 was part of the Zond program, a series of Soviet robotic spacecraft missions intended to gather information about the Moon and test spacecraft for potential human missions. The Zond program included both lunar flyby missions and attempts to achieve lunar orbit, with varying degrees of success.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report