Kosmos 136

Kosmos 136 (Russian: Космос 136 meaning Cosmos 136) or Zenit-2 No.47 was a Soviet, first generation, low resolution, optical film-return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1966. A Zenit-2 spacecraft, Kosmos 136 was the forty-fourth of eighty-one such satellites to be launched^[4][5] and had a mass of 4,730 kilograms (10,430 lb). In addition to its reconnaissance mission, the satellite was also used for scientific research.

Kosmos 136

Mission type	Optical imaging reconnaissance
Operator	OKB-1
COSPAR ID	1966-115A
SATCAT no.	02624
Mission duration	8 days
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type	Zenit-2
Manufacturer	OKB-1
Launch mass	4730 kg[1]
Start of mission
Launch date	19 December 1966 12:00:01 GMT
Rocket	Vostok-2 s/n N15001-09
Launch site	Plesetsk, Site 41/1
Contractor	OKB-1
End of mission
Disposal	Recovered
Landing date	27 December 1966 06:00 GMT[2]
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric[3]
Regime	Low Earth
Perigee altitude	188 km
Apogee altitude	280 km
Inclination	64.6°
Period	89.4 minutes
Epoch	19 December 1966

Kosmos 136 was launched by a Vostok-2 rocket, serial number N15001-09,^[6] flying from Site 41/1 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 12:00:01 GMT on 19 December 1966,^[7] and following its successful arrival in orbit the spacecraft received its Kosmos designation; along with the International Designator 1966-115A and the Satellite Catalog Number 02624.^[1]

Kosmos 136 was operated in a low Earth orbit, at an epoch of 19 December 1966, it had a perigee of 188 kilometres (117 mi), an apogee of 280 kilometres (170 mi), an inclination of 64.6°, and an orbital period of 89.4 minutes.^[3] After eight days in orbit, Kosmos 136 was deorbited, with its return capsule descending under parachute, landing at 06:00 GMT on 27 December 1966, and recovered by Soviet force.^[2]