| Kosmos 46 | |
| Names List: | Zenit 2-22 |
| Mission Type: | Optical imaging reconnaissance |
| Operator: | OKB-1 |
| Cospar Id: | 1964-059A |
| Satcat: | 885 |
| Mission Duration: | 8 days |
| Spacecraft Type: | Zenit-2 |
| Manufacturer: | OKB-1 |
| Launch Mass: | 4730 kg[1] |
| Launch Date: | 24 September 1964 12:00:00 GMT |
| Launch Rocket: | Vostok-2 |
| Launch Site: | Baikonur 31/6 |
| Launch Contractor: | OKB-1 |
| Disposal Type: | Recovered |
| Landing Date: | 2 October 1964 |
| Orbit Epoch: | 24 September 1964 |
| Orbit Reference: | Geocentric[2] |
| Orbit Regime: | Low Earth |
| Orbit Periapsis: | 211 km |
| Orbit Apoapsis: | 264 km |
| Orbit Inclination: | 51.3° |
| Orbit Period: | 89.2 minutes |
| Apsis: | gee |
| Programme: | Zenit programme Zenit-2 |
| Previous Mission: | Zenit 2-21 |
| Next Mission: | Zenit 2-23 |
| Programme2: | Kosmos (satellites) |
| Previous Mission2: | Kosmos 45 |
| Next Mission2: | Kosmos 47 |
Kosmos 46 (Russian: Космос 46 meaning Cosmos 46) or Zenit-2 No.22 was a Soviet, first generation, low resolution, optical film-return reconnaissance satellite launched in 1964. A Zenit-2 spacecraft, Kosmos 46 was the twenty-second of eighty one such satellites to be launched[3] and had a mass of 4730kg (10,430lb).
Kosmos 46 was launched by a Vostok-2 rocket, serial number R15001-05,[4] flying from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch took place at 12:00 GMT on 24 September 1964,[5] and following its successful arrival in orbit the spacecraft received its Kosmos designation; along with the International Designator 1964-059A and the Satellite Catalog Number 00885.[6]
Kosmos 46 was operated in a low Earth orbit, on 24 September 1964, it had a perigee of 211km (131miles), an apogee of 264km (164miles), inclination of 51.3° and an orbital period of 89.2 minutes. On 2 October 1964, after eight days in orbit, the satellite was deorbited with its return capsule descending by parachute for recovery by Soviet forces.[7]