| Kosmos 124 | |
| Mission Type: | Optical imaging reconnaissance |
| Operator: | OKB-1 |
| Cospar Id: | 1966-064A |
| Satcat: | 02325 |
| Mission Duration: | 8 days |
| Spacecraft Type: | Zenit-2 |
| Manufacturer: | OKB-1 |
| Launch Mass: | 4730 kg |
| Launch Date: | 14 July 1966, 10:33:00 GMT |
| Launch Rocket: | Voskhod 11A57 s/n N15001-14 |
| Launch Site: | Baikonur, Site 31/6 |
| Launch Contractor: | OKB-1 |
| Disposal Type: | Recovered |
| Landing Date: | 22 July 1966, 09:22 GMT |
| Orbit Epoch: | 16 July 1966 |
| Orbit Reference: | Geocentric[1] |
| Orbit Regime: | Low Earth |
| Orbit Periapsis: | 205 km |
| Orbit Apoapsis: | 286 km |
| Orbit Inclination: | 51.8° |
| Orbit Period: | 89.4 minutes |
| Apsis: | gee |
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[2] [3] and had a mass of .[4]
Kosmos 124 was launched by a Voskhod 11A57 rocket with serial number N15001-14,[5] flying from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 10:33 GMT on 14 July 1966,[6] 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 205km (127miles), an apogee of 286km (178miles), 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.[7]