# Kosmos 33

> soviet reconnaissance satellite (Zenit 2-19)

**Wikidata**: [Q277381](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q277381)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_33)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-33

## Summary
Kosmos 33 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched on June 23, 1964. Designated specifically as Zenit 2-19, it was an optical surveillance spacecraft manufactured by the S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia. The satellite was successfully deployed into orbit using a Vostok-2 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Soviet reconnaissance satellite (Zenit-2 class, serial 2-19).
*   **Launch Date:** June 23, 1964, at 10:00:00.
*   **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** Vostok-2 (Soviet rocket).
*   **Manufacturer:** S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia.
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1964-033A.
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 00816.
*   **Entity Type:** Instance of Zenit-2.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Kosmos 33?
A: Kosmos 33 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite, specifically identified as part of the Zenit-2 class (serial number 2-19). It was designed for optical surveillance and intelligence gathering.

### Q: When and where was Kosmos 33 launched?
A: Kosmos 33 was launched on June 23, 1964, at 10:00:00. The launch took place at the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Kosmos 33?
A: The satellite was launched using a Vostok-2 rocket, a Soviet launch vehicle frequently used during this era of space exploration.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 33 represents a specific mission within the broader scope of the Cold War-era space race, serving as a vital node in the Soviet Union's early military surveillance infrastructure. As a Zenit-2 satellite, it exemplifies the adaptation of human spaceflight technology for unmanned reconnaissance; the Zenit-2 class was derived from the Vostok spacecraft used by cosmonauts, repurposed to carry cameras instead of pilots.

The mission underscores the industrial capability of the S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, a central figure in the Soviet space program. By utilizing the Vostok-2 rocket and launching from the strategic Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31, Kosmos 33 highlights the standardized yet secretive operational cadence of the USSR's military space efforts in 1964. These missions were systematically concealed under the generic "Kosmos" designation to obscure their reconnaissance nature from public and international scrutiny. Kosmos 33 is a concrete data point for historians analyzing the launch frequency, vehicle reliability (Vostok-2), and manufacturing output of the Soviet aerospace sector during the mid-1960s.

## Notable For
*   **Zenit-2 Class:** Being the 19th unit (Zenit 2-19) of the widely used Soviet Zenit-2 reconnaissance series.
*   **Korolev Manufacturing:** Being manufactured by the S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, headed by the "father of practical astronautics."
*   **Vostok-2 Integration:** Utilizing the Vostok-2 launch vehicle, linking it technologically to the famous Vostok programme that launched the first human into space.
*   **Precise Tracking:** Having a distinct COSPAR ID (1964-033A) and Satellite Catalog Number (00816), allowing for precise historical tracking of the object's orbit and origin.

## Body

### Mission Profile and Designation
Kosmos 33 functioned as a military optical reconnaissance satellite under the Soviet Union's space program. The entity is formally classified as an instance of the **Zenit-2** class of satellites. Its specific manufacturing designation was **Zenit 2-19**, indicating it was the 19th satellite of this specific configuration produced for the program. The satellite carried the COSPAR international designator **1964-033A** and the Satellite Catalog Number **00816**.

### Launch Operations
The satellite was successfully launched on **June 23, 1964**. The precise time of the significant event—the rocket launch—was recorded at **10:00:00**.
*   **Launch Site:** The mission departed from **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31**, a major launch complex used for both lunar and crewed missions.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** The satellite was propelled into orbit by a **Vostok-2** rocket, a variant of the R-7 Semyorka family.

### Manufacturer and Development
The **S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia** is credited as the manufacturer of Kosmos 33. This entity was a primary contractor for the Soviet space program, responsible for both the satellite bus and the integration of the reconnaissance payload. The development of the Zenit-2 satellites by Energia marked a significant step in standardizing reusable (or semi-reusable) reconnaissance platforms for the Soviet military.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report