2026-244Latest orbital launch: Falcon 9 · Starlink Group 15-16 · Oct 27, 2026 · VandenbergLaunch record →
sci-techmaventhe history of spaceflight, in data
  1. Home
  2. Spacecraft
  3. Cosmos 597
// optical imaging · 1973

Cosmos 597

Cosmos 597 was launched on October 6, 1973 aboard a Voskhod 11A57 from Plesetsk. Latest status in GCAT: landed (Oct 12, 1973).

COSPAR 1973-071ANORAD 6858Soviet Union

Identity

Name in GCAT
Kosmos-597
Common name
Cosmos 597
Payload designation
Germes No. 16L
Other names
Zenit-4MK No. 16L:P,11F692 No. 760-43-736:RA
International designator
1973-071A
NORAD catalog number
6858
GCAT identifier
S06858
UN registration
A/AC.105/INF.281

Mission

Mission type
Optical imaging
Use
Defense
Program
Zenit-4MK
Country
Soviet Union
Builder
TsKBEM Filial No. 3
Platform (bus)
Zenit-4MK

Launch

Date
October 6, 1973 · 12:30 UTC
Launch record
1973-071Success
Spaceport
Plesetsk · pad LC41/1

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT)
LLEO/I
Perigee
206 km
Apogee
250 km
Inclination
65.42°
Status
Landed
Status date
October 12, 1973
Last known active
Oct 12, 1973
End of operations
Oct 12, 1973

Size

Mass
2,310 kg
Dry mass
2,310 kg
Total mass with attached objects
6,010 kg
Length
6.0 m
Diameter
2.20 m
Span
6.0 m

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q12907752 (CC0).