Zenit 2 from ZENIT Зени́т by el_masmore

Zenit 2

Was the first version to be launched in 1961 (there was no Zenit 1.)

The arrangement of cameras varied, but most flights carried four cameras of 1000 mm focal length, and one of 200 mm focal length. The single lower resolution camera was intended to provide low-resolution pictures that would help give a context to the high-resolution pictures.

Each camera had 1500 frames of film and from 200 km, each frame held an image of a 60 km by 60 km square. The ground resolution was stated to be 10–15 m although some unofficial sources claim it was much better—one source claims the number of cars in a car park could be counted. The cameras were developed at the Krasnogorsk Optical-Mechanical factory near Moscow. Curiously, this was also where the popular Zenit SLR cameras were made.

Zenit 2s also carried ELINT equipment called Kust-12M (bush) to receive NATO radar signals. The satellites carried a parabolic antenna, around 1 meter in diameter, that is associated with this equipment. However, it is unclear if the antenna transmitted recorded signals to the ground or was for intercepting radar signals. In the latter case they would have been recorded on magnetic tape, to be retrieved after the return capsule landed.

There were 81 Zenit 2 launches, 58 were successful and 11 were partially successful. There were 12 failed missions, 5 because of a satellite malfunction and 7 because of a failure in the launch vehicle.

First flight – Kosmos 4, 1962. Last flight – Kosmos 344, 1970.

Tracklist

1.	Zenit 2	4:30

Credits

from ZENIT Зени́т, released January 5, 2023
el_masmore, Jesús Alfaro

License