# Kosmos 64

> soviet reconnaissance satellite (Zenit 2-26)

**Wikidata**: [Q783576](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q783576)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_64)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosmos-64

## Summary
Kosmos 64 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite launched in 1965 as part of the Zenit-2 program, designed to gather photographic intelligence. It was deployed using a Vostok-2 rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome, marking another mission in the Soviet Union's efforts to monitor Cold War activities. The satellite is identified by its COSPAR ID 1965-025A and SCN 01305.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: March 25, 1965, at 10:00:00 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Vostok-2 rocket, a Soviet-built launch system.
- **Manufacturer**: S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia.
- **Mission Type**: Reconnaissance (Zenit-2 class, model 2-26).
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.
- **Identifiers**: COSPAR ID 1965-025A, SCN 01305.
- **Language Coverage**: Featured in 6 Wikipedia languages (English, Hungarian, Macedonian, Polish, Serbo-Croatian, Serbian).

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of Kosmos 64?
A: Kosmos 64 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite designed to conduct photographic surveillance as part of the Zenit-2 program during the Cold War.

### Q: Who built and launched Kosmos 64?
A: The satellite was manufactured by S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia and launched by the Soviet Union using a Vostok-2 rocket.

### Q: Where and when was Kosmos 64 launched?
A: The satellite launched on March 25, 1965, at 10:00:00 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 in modern-day Kazakhstan.

## Why It Matters
Kosmos 64 represents a key component of the Soviet Union’s reconnaissance efforts during the Cold War. As part of the Zenit-2 satellite series, it played a critical role in gathering intelligence through photographic surveillance, contributing to military and geopolitical strategies of the time. The mission also demonstrated the reliability of the Vostok-2 rocket, which was derived from the launch vehicle that carried Yuri Gagarin into space. This satellite underscores the rapid advancement of Soviet space technology in the 1960s and its dual use for both civilian and military purposes. Understanding Kosmos 64 provides insight into the broader context of the space race and the strategic importance of satellite reconnaissance.

## Notable For
- **Zenit-2 Class Membership**: Part of the Zenit-2 reconnaissance satellite series, which formed the backbone of Soviet photographic intelligence-gathering capabilities.
- **Vostok-2 Rocket Deployment**: Utilized the Vostok-2 launch vehicle, a modified version of the rocket that launched the first human into space.
- **Baikonur Launch Site**: Launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31, a facility central to Soviet and later Russian space operations.
- **Cold War Surveillance Role**: Contributed to the Soviet Union’s intelligence efforts during a period of heightened geopolitical tension.
- **Multilingual Documentation**: Recognized in six Wikipedia languages, reflecting its historical significance in global space history narratives.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date/Time**: Kosmos 64 launched on March 25, 1965, at 10:00:00 UTC.
- **Location**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31, a key Soviet launch facility.
- **Rocket**: Vostok-2 (serial number unknown), a two-stage launch vehicle with a proven track record in crewed and uncrewed missions.

### Satellite Specifications
- **Class**: Zenit-2, a first-generation Soviet reconnaissance satellite.
- **Model**: Designated Zenit 2-26, indicating its position in the Zenit-2 production sequence.
- **Identifiers**: COSPAR ID 1965-025A, Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 01305.

### Mission Context
- **Manufacturer**: Built by S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, the lead Soviet space design bureau.
- **Program Affiliation**: Part of the Zenit program, which operated from 1961 to 1996 and included over 500 launches.
- **Historical Significance**: The Zenit-2 satellites were the first to provide systematic photographic reconnaissance from space, supplementing Soviet terrestrial and aerial intelligence-gathering methods.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report