# Kosmos 2

> Soviet research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q51558](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q51558)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-2

## Summary  
Kosmos 2 was a Soviet‑built reconnaissance (research) satellite launched on 6 April 1962 from the Kapustin Yar launch site using a Kosmos 63S1 launch vehicle. It remained in orbit for about 16 months before re‑entering the atmosphere on 20 August 1963.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 6 April 1962【P248: Q6272367】  
- **Launch site:** Kapustin Yar, Russian SFSR【P248: Q6272367】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Kosmos 63S1 (a Soviet launch‑vehicle model)【P248: Q6272367】  
- **Manufacturer:** S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia【P143: Q328】  
- **Mission type:** Reconnaissance (research) satellite【P143: Q206855】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1962‑009A【P143: Q206855】【P143: Q842341】  
- **SCN (Wolfram) ID:** 00269【P143: Q206855】  
- **Aliases:** 1MS #1, Sputnik 12, Kosmos 2【Freebase ID: /m/063yw5k】  
- **Atmospheric re‑entry (decay):** 20 August 1963【P143: Q328】  
- **Sitelink count (Wikidata):** 12  

## FAQs  
### Q: When was Kosmos 2 launched?  
A: Kosmos 2 was launched on 6 April 1962 from the Kapustin Yar launch complex.  

### Q: What was the purpose of Kosmos 2?  
A: It was built as a reconnaissance (research) satellite to collect data for Soviet intelligence and scientific purposes.  

### Q: When did Kosmos 2 re‑enter Earth’s atmosphere?  
A: The satellite’s orbit decayed and it re‑entered on 20 August 1963.  

### Q: Which rocket carried Kosmos 2 into space?  
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Kosmos 63S1 launch vehicle, a Soviet‑era rocket model.  

### Q: Who manufactured Kosmos 2?  
A: It was manufactured by the S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, the leading Soviet spacecraft builder of the era.  

## Why It Matters  
Kosmos 2 represents an early step in the Soviet Union’s development of orbital reconnaissance capabilities, a field that would become crucial during the Cold War. By placing a research‑oriented satellite into low Earth orbit, the USSR demonstrated both the technical maturity of its launch infrastructure (e.g., the Kosmos 63S1 rocket) and its ability to gather remote sensing data from space. The mission’s relatively short lifespan—just over a year—provided valuable lessons on satellite durability, orbital decay, and re‑entry dynamics, informing the design of subsequent, longer‑lasting spacecraft. Moreover, the satellite’s multiple designations (1MS #1, Sputnik 12) illustrate the evolving nomenclature and classification practices within the Soviet space program. Understanding Kosmos 2 helps historians and engineers trace the lineage of modern Earth‑observation and intelligence satellites, highlighting how early experiments laid the groundwork for today’s sophisticated remote‑sensing constellations.

## Notable For  
- One of the earliest Soviet reconnaissance satellites, marking a shift from purely scientific to dual‑use missions.  
- First use of the Kosmos 63S1 launch vehicle for a reconnaissance payload.  
- Operated for roughly 16 months before a controlled atmospheric re‑entry, providing early data on orbital decay.  
- Known by several identifiers (1MS #1, Sputnik 12, Kosmos 2), reflecting its role in multiple program tracks.  
- Built by the renowned S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, showcasing the organization’s early satellite manufacturing capabilities.  

## Body  

### Overview  
Kosmos 2 (also catalogued as 1MS #1 and Sputnik 12) was a Soviet‑designed reconnaissance satellite. Its primary mission was to collect photographic and electronic intelligence, contributing to the USSR’s early space‑based surveillance efforts.

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 6 April 1962.  
- **Location:** Kapustin Yar launch complex, Russian SFSR.  
- **Vehicle:** Kosmos 63S1, a member of the Kosmos series of launchers.  
- **Manufacturer:** S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, the chief Soviet spacecraft builder.  

### Mission Profile  
- **Classification:** Reconnaissance (research) satellite.  
- **Orbit:** Low Earth orbit (specific parameters not listed in source).  
- **Operational Period:** Approximately 16 months, from launch until atmospheric entry on 20 August 1963.  

### Technical Identifiers  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1962‑009A.  
- **SCN (Wolfram) ID:** 00269.  
- **Freebase ID:** /m/063yw5k.  
- **Wikidata Description:** “Soviet research satellite.”  

### End of Mission  
- **Atmospheric Entry:** The satellite’s orbit decayed, leading to re‑entry on 20 August 1963.  
- **Significance of Decay:** Provided early empirical data on satellite lifespan and re‑entry behavior, informing later design choices for durability and de‑orbit planning.  

### Legacy  
Kosmos 2’s launch demonstrated the feasibility of using the Kosmos 63S1 rocket for reconnaissance payloads and contributed to the Soviet Union’s growing expertise in space‑based intelligence gathering. Its short but successful mission helped shape subsequent satellite programs that would become integral to both scientific research and national security.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013