| Mission type | Optical imaging reconnaissance | 
|---|---|
| Operator | OKB-1 | 
| COSPAR ID | 1966-064A | 
| SATCAT no. | 02325 | 
| Mission duration | 8 days | 
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Zenit-2 | 
| Manufacturer | OKB-1 | 
| Launch mass | 4730 kg[1] | 
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 14 July 1966, 10:33:00 GMT | 
| Rocket | Voskhod 11A57 s/n N15001-14 | 
| Launch site | Baikonur, Site 31/6 | 
| Contractor | OKB-1 | 
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Recovered | 
| Landing date | 22 July 1966, 09:22 GMT[2] | 
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric[3] | 
| Regime | Low Earth | 
| Perigee altitude | 205 km | 
| Apogee altitude | 286 km | 
| Inclination | 51.8° | 
| Period | 89.4 minutes | 
| Epoch | 16 July 1966 | 
Kosmos 124 (Russian: Космос 124 meaning Cosmos 124) or Zenit-2 No.42 was a Soviet, first generation, low resolution, optical film-return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1966. A Zenit-2 spacecraft, Kosmos 124 was the fortieth of eighty-one such satellites to be launched[4][5] and had a mass of 4,730 kilograms (10,430 lb).[1]
Kosmos 124 was launched by a Voskhod 11A57 rocket with serial number N15001-14,[6] flying from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 10:33 GMT on 14 July 1966,[7] and following its successful arrival in orbit the spacecraft received its Kosmos designation; along with the International Designator 1966-064A and the Satellite Catalog Number 02325.
Kosmos 124 was operated in a low Earth orbit, at an epoch of 14 July 1966, it had a perigee of 205 kilometres (127 mi), an apogee of 286 kilometres (178 mi), an inclination of 51.8°, and an orbital period of 89.4 minutes. After eight days in orbit, Kosmos 124 was deorbited, with its return capsule descending under parachute, landing at 09:22 GMT on 22 July 1966, and recovered by Soviet force.[2]
References
- 1 2  "Cosmos 124: Display 1966-064A". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. NASA. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- 1 2 Christie, Robert. "Zenit Satellites - Zenit-2 variant". Zarya.info. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- ↑ "Cosmos 124: Trajectory 1966-064A". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. NASA. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
- ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "Zenit-2 (11F61)". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 31 December 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- ↑ Wade, Mark. "Zenit-2". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 23 May 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- ↑ Wade, Mark. "Voskhod 11A57". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 9 July 2008. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- ↑ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 4 January 2014.