| Kosmos 117 | |
| Mission Type: | Optical imaging reconnaissance |
| Operator: | OKB-1 |
| Cospar Id: | 1966-037A |
| Satcat: | 02163 |
| Mission Duration: | 8 days |
| Spacecraft Type: | Zenit-2 |
| Manufacturer: | OKB-1 |
| Launch Mass: | 4730 kg |
| Launch Date: | 6 May 1966, 11:02:00 GMT |
| Launch Rocket: | Vostok-2 s/n N15001-01 |
| Launch Site: | Baikonur, Site 31/6 |
| Launch Contractor: | OKB-1 |
| Disposal Type: | Recovered |
| Landing Date: | 14 May 1966, 08:24 GMT |
| Orbit Epoch: | 6 May 1966 |
| Orbit Reference: | Geocentric |
| Orbit Regime: | Low Earth |
| Orbit Periapsis: | 205 km |
| Orbit Apoapsis: | 298 km |
| Orbit Inclination: | 65.0° |
| Orbit Period: | 89.5 minutes |
| Apsis: | gee |
Kosmos 117 (Russian: Космос 117 meaning Cosmos 117) or Zenit-2 No.39 was a Soviet optical film-return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1966. A Zenit-2 spacecraft, Kosmos 117 was the thirty-eighth of eighty-one such satellites to be launched[1] [2] and had a mass of 4730kg (10,430lb).
Kosmos 117 was launched by a Vostok-2 rocket, serial number N15001-01,[3] flying from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 11:02 GMT on 6 May 1966, and following its successful arrival in orbit the spacecraft received its Kosmos designation; along with the International Designator 1966-037A and the Satellite Catalog Number 02163.[4]
Kosmos 117 was operated in a low Earth orbit, at an epoch of 6 May 1966, it had a perigee of 205km (127miles), an apogee of 298km (185miles), an inclination of 65.0°, and an orbital period of 89.5 minutes.[5] After eight days in orbit, Kosmos 117 was deorbited, with its return capsule descending under parachute and landing at 08:24 GMT on 14 May 1966 and recovered by Soviet force.[6]